By: Treshawn Ross

A rivalry that could shape the future of the NFL

The Draft

In the 2024 NFL draft Caleb Williams was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bears. He was drafted this high because of his miraculous college career, which included a 2022 Heisman Trophy (the highest honor in college football). In this same draft, Jayden Daniels was taken second overall by the Washington Commanders. Jayden Daniels is also a Heisman Trophy winner, but critics often speculated if his play style and more slender size would translate to the NFL.

The start of the 2024 season

Caleb Williams started the season with 9 touchdowns and 1300 passing yards before week 8. Jayden Daniels had similar stats with 7 touchdowns and 1400 passing yards. Both had decent starts but Jayden Daniels was more consistent than Caleb Williams in terms of yards. The two stars were set to play each other in week 8 of the 2024 season. A game which would become an instant classic.

Context before the game

The Bears record going into this game was 4-2, they were coming off a bye week, which in theory, would give the team more time to prepare for the Commanders. The Commanders record going into the game was 5-2 and Jayden Daniels was coming off a rib injury to play in week 8 against the Bears.

Week 8-Bears vs Commanders 2024

This was a very low scoring and grueling game for both teams. The Bears couldn’t move the football well and as a result had to punt 2 times in the first quarter. The Commanders did slightly better, gaining the lead with three field goals in the first half.

The 3rd quarter continued in a similar fashion. At the end of the 3rd quarter the Bears finally scored the first touchdown of the game, a 59 yard touchdown run by D’Andre Swift.

The 4th quarter was extremely sloppy by both teams with a fumble and missed field goal by both teams. Caleb Williams then led a potential game winning drive and the Bears scored to make the score 15-12. There was still 25 seconds left in the game, and Jayden Daniels led his team to the 48 yard line with 6 seconds left. He threw a Hail Mary pass which was miraculously caught by Noah Brown, his wide receiver.

The second half of the 2024 season

After this game Caleb Williams and the Bears suffered 10 straight losses, tying the longest losing streak in Bears history. Even though Caleb led many potential game winning drives he couldn’t overcome the terrible coaching that put the team in desperate situations the entire season. Caleb ended the season with 3,500 yards passing, 20 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.

Alongside these stats was a detrimental one, 68 sacks taken over the course of the season, which led the league. In contrast Jayden Daniels led his team to the playoffs with 3,500 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

2025 season

The Bears have a 5-3 record now with a couple of devastating losses to division rivals, but Caleb Williams is improving with his new coach Ben Johnson. Jayden Daniels is having a rough season but it isn’t fair to call it a “sophomore slump” because he was injured for 3 or 4 of his games this season.

The Bears and Commanders played again this season which proved to be another thriller, ending in a game winning drive by Caleb Williams which led to a walk off field goal by Jake Moody. 24-25 was the score.

Future

If these two young quarterbacks continue playing well and stay healthy, this rivalry could become a new golden age for young QB play.

Update

Unfortunately, Jayden Daniels suffered a left arm injury this past weekend, which will sideline him for at least a few weeks.