The Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders are set to square off on Monday Night Football in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the season. The storyline is rich with intrigue, not only because of last year’s dramatic finish when the Commanders stunned Chicago with a Hail Mary, but also because of the quarterback duel between two of the NFL’s most electrifying young passers: Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels.
For Bears head coach Ben Johnson, the matchup offers a chance to showcase the development of his second-year signal-caller, but it also presents an opportunity to reflect on just how special last year’s QB class truly is.
Speaking ahead of the Week 5 contest, Johnson had high praise for both Williams and Daniels, making it clear that the Bears’ opponent features a player he holds in the same regard as his own franchise QB.
I thought it was a really strong class coming out. Probably one of the stronger [classes] in recent history,” Johnson said. “Caleb obviously felt highly about him. Part of the reason why I wanted to come here. I haven’t been disappointed with him whatsoever. He continues to get better. Elite arm strength, the ability to extend plays. I don’t think a whole lot different for Jayden. Jayden’s extremely accurate throwing the football. Something I think is overlooked when you look at him because he is so dynamic with his legs, and he hurts teams so much on the ground as well. I think there are probably a lot of similarities. I think these are two ascending quarterbacks in this league, and I think we’re going to be talking about them for a long time in the future.
Ben Johnson Knows Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels Are the Real Deal
Johnson’s comments highlight what many evaluators have said since the pre-draft process: the 2024 quarterback class could redefine the next decade of NFL football.
Williams and Daniels represent the new mold of dual-threat quarterbacks. And while Williams’ creativity and arm talent have made him look like Superman on the field at times, Daniels’ blend of accuracy and athleticism has made him one of the league’s most dangerous young playmakers.
Johnson’s acknowledgement of Daniels’ overlooked passing ability is especially notable. As he pointed out, the Commanders’ signal-caller is far more than just a scrambling quarterback; he’s shown praise, timing, and efficiency in Washington’s offense, traits that often take years for young QBs to develop.
A Redemption Game for the Bears
For Chicago, this matchup also carries emotional weight. Last season’s heartbreaking loss to Washington left a sour taste that has lingered into this season. Now, under Johnson’s leadership, the Bears feel confident they can even the score.
If Johnson’s words are any indication, Monday’s matchup isn’t just about redemption, it’s about recognition. The Bears head coach sees two young stars on the rise, and he’s confident that fans across the league will be talking about Williams and Daniels for years to come.
In a league constantly searching for the next great quarterback rivalry, the Bears and Commanders may have just found one.
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