The debate between Caleb Williams and Drake Maye has been going on for years and it unfortunately will be something that continues to follow both quarterbacks throughout their entire careers in the NFL.

I mean this is really going to become the next John Elway and Dan Marino, or Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. Two quarterbacks from the same draft class that went on to have incredible careers with their respective teams. One things for sure, both the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots are pleased with the quarterbacks they have.

And yet, this will continue to be a back and forth debate externally between these two quarterbacks. However, the latest poll among the NFL shows the momentum is finally starting to side with Williams over Maye.

Albert Breer’s latest poll on the Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye debate shows eye-opening results

Earlier on Tuesday, NFL insider Albert Breer posted his weekly notes column and inside it he included a section on Williams and Maye following the duel the two had on Thursday night. Breer noted that before the game he polled various league executives and coaches (six GMs, five offensive coordinators, four assistant GMs, a VP of player personnel and a pass-game coordinator to be exact) to see who they would rather have at quarterback.

Of the 17 answers, 12 chose Williams while 5 chose Maye. That’s pretty notable and the results might have looked way different in 2024 after their rookie seasons or even in 2025 after Maye was a runner-up for the MVP award. As of now, Williams finally has believers that are backing him for once.

Breer took it a step further and included some of the comments he received about both quarterbacks. In regards to Williams, his sources “cited his ceiling, creativity and early record of clutch play” comparing him to Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. In regards to Maye, the reasoning focused on his “personality and sustainability” along with the consistent nature he plays with compared to Williams’ franticness.

To Williams’ credit, he’s looked like a much more consistent quarterback this season compared to Maye (outside of one bad game in sloppy weather against Brian Flores). Williams has especially shined the last two weeks, including out playing Maye on Thursday night.

Again, though, debating between the two is a waste of time. There’s a lot of other factors and situations that go into this. At the end of the day, both quarterbacks are going to be really really good for years to come, something the league is well aware of.

Caleb Williams and Drake Maye have great mutual respect and will have many great games together

Thursday’s game was the second matchup between Williams and Maye, and it’s now 1-1 between the two. These are two quarterbacks who have known each other for years and will continue to have great head-to-head matchups down the line, perhaps even a dual one day in the Super Bowl.

“I’ve grown up with Drake throughout the years. We’ve been in the same class for a while. We’ve been to so many camps (together). He’s probably one of the guys I am closer to in my class or just overall on another team. Being able to watch him grow up and be around each other, it’s been fun,” Williams said of Maye last week.

Both players bring exciting traits to the table that elevate their offenses and have the luxury now of being coached by two of the best coaches in the league. Both coaches would also say the same thing: there’s no one else they’d rather have at quarterback.