​Bears QB Caleb Williams gets good news before 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are heading into their third season together, and what a difference a year makes. Seriously.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThink about last year at this time. There were lots of questions surrounding if Williams was worth his No. 1 overall pick status. His rookie season was lukewarm, at best.But, then head coach Ben Johnson came on the scene. He put his foot down and helped Williams lead this entity to the No. 1 spot in the NFC North. Then, they made the playoffs. Chicago not only made the postseason, they were favorites until falling to the Los Angeles Rams.So, Williams was part of a winning team in 2025, and now, he’s getting some respect for his hard work. It’s only fitting.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementESPN unleashed its list of the best quarterbacks in the league for 2026 on Monday. In the piece, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to get their picks for the best quarterbacks.Williams is No. 10 on the tally. Now, before you get all frowny about that number, consider that he was even above Super Bowl-winning Sam Darnold.”He’s the most dynamic of the group,” one GM said in the piece. “He’s got the arm talent and overall athleticism suited for today’s game.”Fowler added that Williams had “11 touchdowns thrown at least 20 yards downfield were two more than any other quarterback last season.” He also took down his sack total from 68 to 24 year-over-year. Also, the signal-caller’s 13 interceptions on 1,130 career passing attempts looked good, and his famed six fourth-quarter comebacks in 2025 were top in the NFL.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo, Williams is a contender. The NFL is taking notice.How 49ers’ problem with Brandon Aiyuk might’ve been solved without a trade or releaseBrowns TE Harold Fannin Jr. receives ‘arrow up’ projection from NFC execDeshaun Watson sends subtle warning to Browns’ Shedeur SandersBengals’ new DT Dexter Lawrence ranked as No. 7 DT in NFL in ESPN poll