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Caleb Williams solidifies himself as the Bears best rookie QB by etching his name atop the franchise record books vs. Vikings

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Nov 24, 2024 5:56 PM ET

There's no question about it. The Chicago Bears have found their new franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, if that wasn't already obvious before Week 12's game.

During Sunday's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, Williams already put the stamp on being the team's best rookie quarterback in franchise history.

With his 2,229 passing yards and counting in 2024, Williams surpassed Mitchell Trubisky for the most passing yards by a rookie in Bears history. For those keeping track at home, Williams needs three more TD passes to leap Charlie O'Rourke for the most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback in team history.

The Bears are currently down 10-17 against the Vikings in the third quarter of play. Chicago will now be relying on their new rookie passing leader to lead the team back in the second-half.

It hasn't been the rookie campaign Williams likely envisioned for himself during a rocky start to the season, but each game has been a learning experience for the rookie first overall pick. And this season, he's learned how to battle through some of the toughest obstacles in his way.

"There’s going to be rough times, rough patches over the long, healthy career that I hopefully have,” Williams said Wednesday. “And that’s not going to change my mindset, nor is it going to change it now. Being able to be consistent throughout the weeks of practice, film and all of the above, I think it leads to a consistent path. I just have to stay on that path and keep going."

Williams quickly became a true leader from the beginning for this up-and-coming Bears squad. Even before the season, Williams was named as one of the team captains and has constantly been praised for his leadership traits throughout the season.

"It's amazing," Bears wide receiver DJ Moore said in October. "He's taken those strides that he needs to. He's been bossy lately, telling us that we need to be on the details. We really do for him to be the best player he needs to be...

"He's been a leader. If we don't hit something in practice, he's going to tell us how we need to run it. And we just look at him and be like, 'OK.' When we get out there in the game, just making sure you work because he's gonna have some words for you if you don't. That's him being a leader."

Williams has shown everything the Bears hoped to see out of him after drafting him with the top pick back in April's draft. Through the first 11.5 games of the season, Williams has already broken numerous rookie records in Chicago and more records await for the team's QB1 of the future.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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