Sports Illustrated predicts BIG numbers for Bears QB Caleb Williams

Sports Illustrated published its annual “100 Bold Predictions” ahead of the 2024 NFL season, and if the forecast for Caleb Williams becomes reality, Chicago Bears fans would likely be partying like it’s 1985.

First up, Connor Orr has Williams throwing the same number of touchdowns as Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, who threw 26 touchdowns during his rookie year. He also infamously tossed 28 interceptions, but we’ll ignore that for now.

Expanding on that, Connor Orr, the article’s author, goes on to give a full stat-line prediction for Caleb Williams: a 65% completion rating, the aforementioned 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 3,727 yards (assuming he played all 17 games, that would be an average of just under 220 yards per game).

Though Orr calls these his “bold predictions,” they don’t really feel that way. Most NFL analysts believe GM Ryan Poles has done a tremendous job setting up Caleb Williams to succeed as a rookie. Williams’ top two receivers continue to get respect throughout the NFL, tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett have a history of getting open and making tough catches, and recently Brandon Thorn, a noted offensive line expert, heaped praise on the protection Williams will have.

(I’m building my OL rankings now for ETR and will likely have the Bears OL right around the top 20. Pretty solid for a top overall QB!)

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) June 14, 2024

And that’s not even counting the likely upgrades over last year’s crew in offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, running back D’Andre Swift, and wide receiver Rome Odunze.

Considering all things, 26 touchdowns and 3,727 yards seem well within Williams’ reach.

Orr made one more prediction that indirectly involved Williams, but this one didn’t make much sense. He has Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

“The Washington Commanders’ quarterback has a veteran offensive line and receiving corps, plus a veteran running back to get him out of trouble,” Orr wrote. “Schematically, I would hand the rookie QB advantage to Caleb Williams in Chicago, where the Shane Waldron offense will scheme up a lot of open looks for him. However, Daniels is going to make a lot of plays with his legs and fare well against a schedule that is not too difficult when it comes to defensive opponents.”

That’s a bit of a headscratcher. Chicago has the advantage over Washington at offensive line, receivers, and running backs. The Bears will also have a much easier schedule than the Commanders. Sure, Daniels will probably rip off some electric carries on the ground, but Bears fans just watched a quarterback who was arguably the best runner in the league for the last three years, and all those runs did was get him traded.

Not every prediction can be spot on, I guess.