Bears’ Caleb Williams is a Tier 2 QB per NFL Executives and Coaches

Oct 13, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to pass the ball against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mike Sando's annual NFL Quarterback Tiers List is out atThe Athletic, and the Chicago Bears have a Tier 2 QB in Caleb Williams, who was tied for 11th overall. The list is compiled by talking with 50 anonymous voters, consisting of various NFL executives and coaches, who ranked 35 veteran NFL quarterbacks.

Here's their criteria for Tier 2:

Carries his team sometimes

Handles pure-passing situations in doses

Or has other dimensions that elevate him above Tier 3

Has a hole or two in his game

Williams was in the third tier last year, and there were only two other quarterbacks this year who had a bigger improvement than he did.

In all, 36 voters had Caleb in Tier 2, with 14 putting him in Tier 3. All eight general managers in the voting pool had him in the second tier, while 11 coaches had him in the third.

I think Caleb's going from a 2 to a possible 1," an exec said. A couple of plays he made late in the year and then in the playoffs, not many people can make those plays. You saw it get better and better as they progressed."

Do you think Williams will be in the top tier next year?

Our 2026 NFL Quarterback Tiers results are here.

The panel this year consisted of 21 execs and 29 coaches overall. Each voter placed 35 veteran QBs into five tiers, from best (Tier 1) to worst (Tier 5).

There's clarity at the top, with four overwhelming Tier 1 selections and... pic.twitter.com/2iaixLeYbo

- The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 4, 2026