Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ popularity has been climbing all offseason, and Friday he made his debut on the NFL Top 100 list at No. 51. The rankings are determined by player voting and released incrementally over several months leading up to the season.
Williams did not make the list going into either of his first two seasons, but took a step forward last season by setting the Bears’ franchise record with 3,942 yards and pulling off seven fourth-quarter comebacks, including a playoff win.
At quarterback, that puts Williams ahead of former Eagles Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts (No. 56), fellow 2024 first-round pick Bo Nix of the Broncos (No. 59), the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence (No. 62), Ravens two-time MVP Lamar Jackson (No. 69), the Packers’ Jordan Love (No. 72), the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield (No. 77), the 49ers’ Brock Purdy (No. 85) and the Panthers’ Bryce Young (No. 98).
Williams and Young will face each other in Week 1 when the Bears visit the Panthers on Sept. 13.
Defensive end Montez Sweat is the only other Bear revealed to be in the Top 100 so far at No. 91. The league will unveil two players each day next week starting with Nos. 49 and 50 on Monday.