As the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, Caleb Williams naturally entered the NFL with significantly high expectations. However, due to ineffectiveness stemming from inexperience, a lack of sufficient talent around him, or the fact that he ultimately played under three different offensive coordinators, or most likely, a combination of all three, Williams endured a brutal rookie campaign.
The offseason brought a ray of hope in the form of new head coach Ben Johnson, hired on the strength of the high-powered offense he built during his three seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
Bringing in such an offensive mind was always expected to unlock Williams’ talent, and that partnership is already showing results. Nowhere was that more apparent than in Chicago’s thrilling 47-42 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
How Did Caleb Williams Silence His Critics Against the Bengals?
The game featured seven lead changes, and Williams had a significant hand in the victory with four touchdowns, including a receiving score on a trick play in the first quarter and a game-winning 58-yard scoring strike to rookie tight end Colston Loveland.
After a day that saw him amass 355 total yards, Williams was unsurprisingly the proverbial apple of the eye of a fan base that had previously given him mixed reviews.
After watching Williams cap off a game-winning four-play, 72-yard game-winning drive versus Cincinnati with the aforementioned strike to Loveland, one fan was singing the praises of the quarterback’s ability to come through when it matters most.
Say what you want about Caleb Williams, but he is one of the most clutch QBs in the entire NFL.
— (@2KEVlN) November 2, 2025
Another fan addressed a common negative refrain that plagued Williams throughout his rookie season, namely, that he hadn’t come close to living up to his status as the first overall pick.
Never want to hear this man be called “overrated” ever again
— Tyler Herro Muse ☆ (@danhurleyuconn) November 2, 2025
A third responded to an X post about Williams becoming the first player in the NFL’s long history to record over 250 passing yards, 50 rushing yards and 20 receiving yards in the same game by expressing his bewilderment over the lack of recognition the second-year signal-caller still suffers from.
Caleb Williams continues to break records.
Yet, folks still call him a bust.
I don’t get it.
Great work by the Bears QB. https://t.co/7ngp8EIa50
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@JAYChi_Bears) November 3, 2025
Another issued a preemptive strike against fans who had been critical of Williams in the past and might be inclined to jump on the bandwagon based on his recent play.
And all of you that’s been disrespecting Caleb Williams PLEASE STAY ON THAT SIDE!!!!!
— OPM 🪙 (@sirrbrycee) November 3, 2025
Despite Sunday’s Success, Williams Still Has Skeptics
As much adoration was heaped on Williams by a certain percentage of NFL fandom, others wanted to apply an asterisk next to Sunday’s breakout performance.
Specifically, some of the persistent Williams skeptics were quick to point out what defense the quarterback’s numbers were produced against–a Bengals unit now allowing a league-high 426.5 total yards per game.
One user begrudgingly gave Williams credit for the prolific day while still offering a reminder of the caliber of opponent.
He’s fun to watch play but you can’t play the Bengals Defense every week….
— James Bowling (@blanmuskiehumor) November 2, 2025
Another user was even more unimpressed with the significance of Williams’ exploits and expressed this sentiment in plain language.
Everyone know Caleb Williams sucks. This is completely about the Bengals’ defense.
— Richard Compton (@rcompton11) November 2, 2025
Even a Bengals fan got in on the conversation, responding to an X post from 2012 second overall pick Robert Griffin III and putting a damper on the enthusiasm over Williams by taking a shot at his own team.
Guy, he did that against the Bengals defense. As a Bengals fan, I promise you, it’s not a flex
— Myrtle Mountaineer (@MyrtleEers) November 2, 2025
Upcoming Schedule Could Help Williams Build Momentum
While there’s a certain validity to pointing out that Sunday’s stellar production was at least partly made possible by a league-worst defensive unit, it’s also possible that fans who are supportive of Williams will continue to have something to crow about in the coming weeks.
For starters, it stands to reason Williams and his teammates should continue to get more comfortable in Johnson’s highly effective offensive system throughout the second half of the season.
Additionally, Williams should have ample opportunity to improve on the 74.7 (C) rating in PFSN’s QBi rankings he sported coming into Sunday’s game — two of the Bears’ next three opponents, the Giants and Steelers, hold No. 26 and No. 21 rankings, respectively, in PFSN’s DEFi metric heading into Week 10.