Is Caleb Williams back in the race for Offensive Rookie of the Year?

Amidst the NFL’s ever-changing landscape is one truth that doesn’t change: the NFL remains a “what have you done for me lately” league. It doesn’t matter how good a player or coach has been in the past, if they are struggling right now, their jobs are on the line. The same principle applies to individual awards.

When the Chicago Bears selected Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, he was the heavy favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately for Bears fans, the 2024 season has gone off the rails while other teams with rookie quarterbacks have gotten off to hot starts. According to DraftKings, Jayden Daniels, whose Washington Commanders are 7-4, is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year, while Bo Nix, of the 7-5 Broncos, is right behind him. Williams, meanwhile, is tied for fifth with Drake Maye, who hasn’t even played the full season:

Updated NFL 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year odds

Jayden Daniels, Commanders: -400
Bo Nix, Broncos: +300
Drake Maye, Patriots: +2500
Brock Bowers, Raiders: +3000
Caleb Williams, Bears: +4000

The good news for Williams and Bears fans is that six games remain on the schedule. As aforementioned, it’s a “what have you done for me lately” league, and right now, Williams is on a hot streak while Daniels has struggled. Nix has clearly played his way into the conversation, but can Williams make up the ground he lost and get himself back in the race?

Individual awards are bigger than the individual.

We’ve seen it time and time again in the NFL. A player who may be more deserving of an award than others based on his level of play misses out because his team doesn’t win games. The awards may be designed for individuals, but the team performance still weighs heavily in the voting, fair or not.

The Bears are 4-7 and have the toughest remaining schedule ahead of them. Barring a miraculous 6-0 run to end the season, I don’t see a way for Williams to win Rookie of the Year, even if he continues his high level of play. The Bears are too far behind the Broncos and Commanders in terms of wins, even if the latter may end up right around .500 for the season.

The Bears drafted Williams for a Hall of Fame career, not a standout rookie season.

The good news for Bears fans is that a player’s career is not defined by their rookie season. It would be great to see Williams and the Bears turn it around, go on a heater, and for Williams to earn that Rookie of the Year honor. But the Bears did not draft him for one year’s accolades. They drafted him to change the franchise and win championships.

That future is still very much on the table, regardless of who wins Rookie of the Year. If Williams continues to develop and flash his elite potential, the Bears will be positioned for long-term success. It’d be hard to find a Bears fan who cares about a rookie season award at that point.