Caleb Williams Earns Bears Offensive Player of the Year Award

Second-year quarterback sets franchise record and leads team to playoffs

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears' young quarterback, had a breakout season in 2026, setting a franchise record with 3,942 passing yards and leading the team to the playoffs. His clutch play and ability to make big plays in crunch time earned him the team's Offensive Player of the Year award from ChicagoBears.com.

Why it matters

Williams' impressive performance this season has cemented his status as the Bears' quarterback of the future, providing hope for a franchise that has long struggled to find stability at the position. His development is a positive sign for the team's long-term outlook.

The details

In his second year as the Bears' starting quarterback, Williams threw for 27 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions, displaying an ability to make plays when the team needed it most. He set an NFL record for most fourth-quarter comebacks in a single season by a quarterback under 25 years old, including two wins against the rival Packers. Williams also improved his pass protection, cutting his sack numbers from 68 as a rookie to only 24 this season.

  • Caleb Williams set the Bears' franchise record for passing yards in a season with 3,942.
  • Williams threw for 27 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions in the 2026 season.
  • Williams led the Bears to the playoffs, earning the team's Offensive Player of the Year award from ChicagoBears.com.

The players

Caleb Williams

The Chicago Bears' second-year starting quarterback who had a breakout season in 2026, setting a franchise record for passing yards and leading the team to the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“Caleb Williams hasn't missed a start through two seasons, and he cut his sack numbers down from 68 as a rookie to only 24 this season. It was a remarkable one-year turnaround for what was one of the most concerning areas of his game as a rookie.”

— Jerry Markarian, Author (yardbarker.com)

“The fact that two of those wins came against the Packers? Icing on the cake. The fact that the most recent one came in the playoffs? The cherry on top.”

— Jerry Markarian, Author (yardbarker.com)

What’s next

With his impressive 2026 season, Caleb Williams has established himself as the Bears' quarterback of the future. The team and fans will be eager to see if he can build on this success and lead the team to greater heights in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

Caleb Williams' breakout 2026 campaign has provided a glimmer of hope for a Bears franchise that has long struggled to find stability at the quarterback position. His ability to make clutch plays and lead the team to the playoffs has earned him the team's Offensive Player of the Year award, and the future looks bright for the young signal-caller.