During a segment on “NFL of FOX,” former Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders defensive end, Super Bowl champion, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long, during a conversation with former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, gave quite a generous and eye-popping comparison for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and a player from around his generation.
The comparison may leave you scratching your head, but hear out his rationale.
Howie Long Likens Caleb Williams to Former Denver Broncos QB
As mentioned, Long was having a conversation with Edelman, and the topic of Williams came up.
Long took it upon himself to provide his feedback and insight into what he’s seen of the Bears’ second-year quarterback, comparing him to a fellow Hall of Famer like himself.
Here’s the conversation the two had:
“Usually, you say with a quarterback, particularly with a mobile quarterback, make him go to his left. He’s as comfortable rolling to his left, flipping his hips…” Long started.
“Commit,” Edelman added. “Yes. You know what he is? He’s, for me, he’s John Elway from my generation,” Long continued.
Over 16 years with the Broncos, Elway was an NFL MVP, won two Super Bowls, was a Super Bowl MVP, went to nine Pro Bowls, and was a three-time second-team All-Pro.
His career statistics included 148-82-1, a 56.9% completion rate, 51,475 passing yards, 300 touchdowns, and 226 interceptions.
In the postseason, he went 14-8 with 4,964 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.
Howie Long says Caleb Williams is the John Elway of this generation 👀 pic.twitter.com/FOqnXJ0f1P
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 30, 2025
“Oh wow,” Edelman responded.
“Now, now, John Elway was, you know, he, he didn’t light it on fire initially, and then he obviously he has a great career, and he’s a Hall of Famer,” Long said, somewhat qualifying his statement.
For comparison, Williams has played 29 games, is 14-15, and has completed 60.6% of his passes for 6,263 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Over Elway’s first 29 games, he went 18-11, completed 53% of his passes for 5,134 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions.
While PFSN’s Offense Impact score wasn’t around for Elway, we can see that, under head coach Ben Johnson and with Williams at quarterback, the Bears this season have a 78.7 grade, which is 12th in the NFL.
“And he seems to be coachable, Caleb, you know, he’s doing…” Edelman started to say.
“I think he [Bears head coach Ben Johnson] challenged him,” Long interrupted.
“Usually, and I don’t know if you feel this way, but I think, a lot of times, the more talented guys are the guys that maybe work less on the details. Guys like you and me, you know, who carry a lunch pail, you work your rear end off, and if there’s no stone left unturned. I want every edge I can get. I want to look at every film I can. I want to look at every formation I can. Caleb is starting to buy in. He challenged the team, but he also challenged the quarterback,” Long finished.
Through 12 games, the Bears are 9-3, and things so far seem to be paying off for Williams and their $65 million head coach.