Caleb Williams burst onto the scene like a lightning bolt! From the moment Williams hit the field, his electrifying style and knack for extending plays had everyone splitting up with Patrick Mahomes comparisons. Looks like the Bears’ No. 1 pick might just be the next QB to rewrite the playbook.

On the Pat McAfee Show, NFL insider Mike Florio dropped a bombshell: “We spent time at the scouting combine & I was blown away by Williams. But this is the first guy, and bear with me on this. I’ve been saying for years that Patrick Mahomes is gonna revolutionize the play cause young kids are gonna see him and wanna emulate him. Caleb Williams is playing the position like Mahomes—the movement, the throws, the ability to freeze defenders cause they never know when that laser is gonna fly by their helmet. This is incredible!”

Florio’s shout-out is legit, coming straight from his time at the scouting combine. He was blown away by Williams’ raw talent and potential. Even with a rocky start, Chicago rookie’s moves, cannon throws, and knack for extending plays had the sports commentator buzzing. He’s convinced that Williams is the next big thing in QBs, ready to shake up the game just like Patrick Mahomes did. 

The USC star is tearing it up this preseason—he’s racked up 170 yards and zero touchdowns—while rocking a slick 50.0% completion rate. Last season at the NCAA? Even more fire: 4,537 yards, 42 TDs, and just 4 interceptions. Add in his dual-threat magic and you’ve got a straight-up explosive player. For comparison, Mahomes in his rookie season back in 2017 had a passer rating of 76.4 with 284 yards and 1 interception in just one game.

In his second preseason game with the Bears, Williams showed off some of that Mahomes-like magic. Sure, his overall performance was solid, but that 45-yard bomb to rookie Rome Odunze? Pure Mahomes vibes—just like when the Chiefs’ QB launched that 9-yard TD pass to Rice. Even Tyreek Hill couldn’t help but notice, dropping a cryptic tweet that had everyone drawing comparisons. Miami’s WR dropped a tweet saying, “Caleb Williams so nice, he remind me of…” He didn’t finish the thought, but fans quickly filled in the blank with Mahomes.

Williams, however, stays grounded. “It’s cool and all, but I’m Caleb Williams. Patrick Mahomes is Patrick Mahomes. Tyreek Hill is Tyreek Hill. Much love to them and things like that,” he said after the Bears’ 27-3 win. “We’re here to win games for the Chicago Bears.” While Caleb Williams’ got the arm and athleticism, he’s got a long way to go before matching Mahomes’ legacy. But if he continues on this path, he might just be the next big thing—and many analysts believe so. 

Analysts weigh in on Caleb Williams’ potential  

Williams is the hot topic, but analysts have some mixed vibes. Mark Schlereth ain’t jumping on the hype train just yet. He asserted, “I see the talent, there’s no question about the talent. But ‘generational talent’ doesn’t mean ‘generational quarterback’.” Legends like Montana, Brady, and Manning weren’t labeled “generational,” but they ruled the game. Williams has piled up 10,082 yards and 93 TDs in college, but now he’s gotta show he can ball out in the NFL.

On the other hand, ESPN’s Miller is all in. He’s hyped about Williams’ elite arm strength, mobility, and field vision. Sure, he needs to work on his release speed, but the analyst thinks Williams can deliver big plays and lead a team. Last season, the 22-year-old lit it up ending up 11th in QBR. Miller’s got it right—Williams is the real deal: “Caleb is an elite prospect but there are times when he forces passes, and he’ll have to get the ball out faster in the NFL, but he has shown he can carry a team and create big plays with his second-effort mobility, diverse arm angles and arm talent.”

Analyst Kiper agrees the Bears’ QB showed promise despite USC’s late-season struggles. He had a tough game against Notre Dame but bounced back strong, showing he can handle pressure. The 2024 season is his time to shine and prove he’s not just talk. The NFL is ready to see if Williams can back up the hype!