The hype train for Caleb Williams has been extraordinary this offseason, and a new Sports Illustrated poll of league executives, coaches, and scouts has the Chicago Bears quarterback ranked ninth among the NFL’s top quarterbacks.

What’s interesting about Albert Breer’s poll with decision-makers across the league compared to ESPN’s from earlier this offseason is that Breer asked them to project their top 10 quarterbacks AFTER the upcoming season, not before.

Williams still landed as a Top-10 quarterback with 18 votes, zero first-place votes, and appearances on 14 ballots. For context, Williams didn’t even appear on this list last year, which speaks volumes about the strides he made during his second NFL season.

Part of the hype is valid, part of it is a little overblown. Williams showed last year that he still has a lot left in the tank but that his ceiling in Chicago remains sky-high. He flashed enough good things to warrant the attention, but whether it’s enough to grace the cover of Madden or crack the top 10 quarterback conversation going into his third NFL season still remains uncertain. The 2026 season should provide far more answers.

You should hear what one AFC offensive coordinator had to say about Williams

The most notable takeaway from Breer’s poll wasn’t from the Top-10 ranking, instead it came from an anonymous AFC offensive coordinator who offered a glowing assessment of the Bears signal-caller.

“Caleb is an awesome talent,” said one AFC offensive coordinator. “In a year or two, if he stays the course with Ben Johnson, he will be top three. His physical talent is freakish.”

That’s a strong endorsement, and it’s a bold statement compared to the general sentiment building around Williams heading into Year 3. The arm talent, the mobility, the ability to create off-schedule plays all project toward elite quarterback play. And the development under Ben Johnson’s system can certainly help Williams take a Year 3 leap. But, a top-3 prediction in the next two years is a very bold thing to say.

Caleb Williams’ path to Top-3 status looking at the competition

Looking one or two years down the line, the top two quarterbacks in football will likely still be Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Both are in the prime of their careers and can realistically contend for a Super Bowl and an MVP award every single year. Those two aren’t going anywhere.

Matthew Stafford actually was the one that came in at No. 2 behind Allen on Breer’s list as the reigning MVP. But a year or two from now, Stafford will be on the decline. He could already be on his last dance with the Los Angeles Rams if they win another Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium. Within two to three years, Stafford will surely be out of the NFL and on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

That timeline will open the door for other quarterbacks. If Stafford exits the conversation, that No. 3 spot becomes a realistic target for quarterbacks such as Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Drake Maye, Justin Herbert, and Dak Prescott. And maybe we should be considering Williams in that conversation. With his ability, and going into Year 2 with Johnson’s offense, it’s certainly in the cards if he can ball out in 2026.

Williams has the physical traits that can separate an elite quarterback from the rest. He also has the coach who can maximize those traits. The foundation is in place for something special with the Bears, and the league is starting to take notice.

The jump from not appearing on this list at all to landing at No. 9 is significant progress. The jump from No. 9 to Top-3 is a different challenge entirely. Let’s see if it can happen.