Caleb Williams Ranked 13th in PFF QB Rankings Despite Breakout Season

Pro Football Focus has released its quarterback rankings for the 2026 NFL season, and Chicago Bears signal-caller Caleb Williams finds himself at No. 13 despite a stellar sophomore campaign. The ranking has drawn criticism given Williams’ achievements last season, including leading the Bears to their first playoff win since 2010.

Williams, the former No. 1 overall pick, guided Chicago to an 11-6 record and the top of the NFC North in 2025. He also set a franchise record with 3,942 passing yards and threw 37 big-time throws, second only to league MVP Matthew Stafford. The Bears advanced to the Divisional Round for the first time in 15 years before falling short.

What the Rankings Say

PFF’s analysis incorporates three seasons of performance data, including passing grades, Wins Above Replacement, and EPA per dropback. Williams placed behind quarterbacks such as Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy, and Dak Prescott, despite Daniels and Prescott missing the postseason with losing records. Williams also outperformed Jordan Love in a playoff thriller, yet sits below him in the rankings.

The Bears’ quarterback does have areas to improve: PFF noted that his negatively graded throw rate ranked 38th at the position, highlighting a gunslinger tendency. However, they acknowledged he is trending in the right direction and living up to expectations as the top pick in the 2024 draft.

Key Achievements in 2025

• Led Bears to 11-6 record and NFC North title
• First Chicago playoff win since 2010
• Set franchise record with 3,942 passing yards
• Ranked second in NFL with 37 big-time throws
• Named cover athlete for Madden NFL 27

Bottom of the List

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was ranked last among the 32 starters. Watson has struggled since joining Cleveland, and his performance in 2025 did little to improve his standing.

Williams will look to build on his breakout season in 2026 under coach Ben Johnson, with the Bears aiming to make a deeper playoff run. Whether the rankings will shift remains to be seen, but the Bears’ young star has already shown he can deliver when it matters most.