Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has a fan in Russell Wilson.
Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, is almost the antithesis of what Williams is, or at least what he was as a prospect. Wilson is an undersized former third-round pick who beat the odds. Williams is closer to prototypically built and was the No. 1 overall pick.
However, the current and former NFL QBs–Wilson joined CBS Sports as an analyst this offseason–share a penchant for dynamic playmaking that the ex-Seattle Seahawk appreciates.
Caleb Williams Sparks Strong Take From Super Bowl Champion
Russell Wilson Praises Caleb Williams
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles relayed Wilson’s thoughts on Williams, which come at a noteworthy point for the Bears’ third-year QB.
“Watching the film, watching Caleb Williams and how talented he is and how he moves, he kinda reminds me of me when I was young and all that — his ability to make plays, his ability to throw on the run, his ability to throw accurately on the move, how he spins out of the pocket,” Wilson said at the ‘NFL on CBS’ media day on Tuesday, per Pereles on August 12.
“I think he’s got some crazy talent to him.”
The ties between Williams and Wilson are loose, but hardly nonexistent, despite their facing off just once as starting quarterbacks.
Wilson was once a speculative trade target for the Bears before ultimately landing with the Denver Broncos. They also both played one season under former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who Wilson had in 2021, his final season with the Seahawks, and Williams in 2024.
Wilson’s comments about Williams are a classic example of game recognizing game.
Williams’ playmaking ability is not in question. The unknown is whether he can remain on schedule enough in head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.
“Williams claims the top spot on the list as the single most compelling figure entering the upcoming NFL season,” Fox Sports wrote on August 11. “Entering his third year as the starter in Chicago and second year under Ben Johnson, Williams combines elite arm velocity, pocket mobility, and off-script playmaking abilities that make the Bears offense central to league-wide attention.”
The rub of Wilson’s admiration is that an inability to adapt his game regarding the more mundane, routine aspects of playing the position stalled and, ultimately, helped end his playing career (at least for the time being.
Williams does not have Wilson’s physical limitations.
However, it is imperative for Johnson and the Bears that Williams avoid the pitfalls that claimed Wilson (whose career accolades would be goals for Williams) and many others before.
Ben Johnson Will Not Let Caleb Williams Settle
Again, doing the routine consistently is seemingly all that is keeping Williams from his next level. After all, he led the Bears to 11 wins and the playoffs as a dynamic but flawed QB in 2025. He and Johnson have locked in on that deficiency.
Johnson noted on Tuesday that Williams has “plateaued” in training camp.
Johnson shared the blame, citing information overload. But Williams fittingly responded with acceptance of his coach’s message. He also expressed his understanding that that is what training camp is for.
Williams said he felt like he was “drowning” in information last season. He said on Tuesday that he feels he is “head above water” this time around. That much has been reflected on the field. There, it has been clear he and Johnson are refining elements more than installing or instilling them.
Johnson said this summer that keeping Williams humble amid his rising stardom is simple.
The second-year head coach simply tells his quarterback “the truth.” The key, though, is that Williams has been outwardly accepting of Johnson’s approach.
