Bears' Caleb Williams receives uplifting message from Vikings' Kevin O'Connell

"His message is just to keep going," Williams said about the exchange. "Hell of a player, keep going, way to fight. He said it sucks that he has to go up against him for awhile, he has to go against me for a while. But a hell of a player. Excited to see me out there fighting, leading those guys."

O'Connell had high praise for the rookie quarterback, saying he "continues to get better and better."

"You can see it when he starts creating off-schedule and that change of direction and athleticism, and we had him dead to rights a couple of times, and he gets out and makes huge plays," O'Connell told reporters. "It's going to be a challenge [facing him twice a year]. We're going to have to play as consistently as possible and disciplined as possible against him as he continues to grow. I look forward to the challenge of competing against him because he's going to be a really good player."

Williams was impressive against one of the better defenses in the NFL on Sunday, as he finished the day completing 32-for-47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed six times for 33 yards, escaping pressure at times and turning a negative into a positive gain.

The former No. 1 overall pick also made history, as he set the franchise rookie season passing yards record with five games remaining this year. It was formerly held by Mitchell Trubisky in 2017. After Sunday, Williams has thrown for 2,356 yards.

The rookie will get another tough test on a short week, as the Bears (4-7) take on the Detroit Lions (10-1) at Ford Field on Thanksgiving day.