The hype was real coming into Week 8 between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders. Two teams with ultra-talented quarterbacks who just so happen to be this year’s No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels couldn’t have a better start to his pro career, rated as the third-best quarterback in the NFL, according to PFF. On the other hand, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has quickly turned into one of the top QBs in the league. Over his last four starts, Williams has thrown for 1,042 yards, nine touchdowns, and only three interceptions with a 109.5 passer rating. Unfortunately, Daniels suffered a rib injury in a dominant victory against the Carolina Panthers and will likely sit out the highly anticipated matchup vs. the Bears. However, there’s still a chance these two stud rookie quarterbacks face off this season.
Washington plans to attempt to try to practice Jayden Daniels on Friday. https://t.co/GSyqF77uyD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 24, 2024
Jayden Daniels vs Caleb Williams Is Still a Possibility This Season
It’s always disappointing to see a rookie having a standout season get sidelined due to injury. The game between the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders was even flexed to 4:25 pm Eastern to showcase the duel between the two rookie quarterbacks to a national audience. Still, the show must go on, and the Bears will likely play a Commanders team led by Marcus Mariota. For those eager to see Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels go head-to-head, there’s still hope.
As it stands, the Bears would sneak into the playoffs as the seventh seed, potentially facing the second-seed Commanders. While there’s still a lot of football left to play, and nothing is set in stone, it shows that a Williams vs. Daniels matchup could still happen. Another scenario could see the Bears as the sixth seed and the Commanders as the third seed, meaning they would still meet. Regardless, there’s still a chance.
The NFC Playoff Picture after Week 7
pic.twitter.com/23PACO5d3l
— PFF (@PFF) October 22, 2024
Did the Bears Make a Mistake Drafting Caleb Williams Over Jayden Daniels?
Caleb Williams didn’t have the best start to the season— that’s a fact. But what’s equally true is that he’s proven throughout the year why he was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick. Williams’ ability to throw anywhere on the field, combined with his elite pocket presence and proactive vision going through reads, has been the “it factor” on offense for Chicago. So, despite how good Jayden Daniels has played, the Bears didn’t make a mistake drafting Williams over him.
Is Williams better than Daniels? It’s too early to say. But does Williams look like the Bears’ franchise quarterback? Absolutely. One crucial factor in evaluating quarterbacks is whether they let the game control them or control the game’s flow. It’s clear on the field that both Williams and Daniels control the game.
You Don’t Have to Put Someone Down to Lift Another Up
It’s great for the NFL and franchises struggling with quarterback stability to now have ultra-talented rookie QBs. The Bears and Commanders have cycled through numerous quarterbacks over the past decade, so it’s refreshing to see that they’ve finally found their solution. Rather than comparing Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels to diminish one over the other, it’s better to appreciate that both are exceptional quarterbacks. The hope is that these two eventually get to face off in a duel between two fantastic quarterbacks.
Main Image: Amber Searls – USA Today Sports
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