“I mean, Brady. When you go seven Super Bowls it’s hard to…there’s not anybody close. And so it gets hard to debate that. I put Brady as number one, and for me, Aaron Rodgers is probably number two.”

Williams’ answer immediately drew attention across the NFL because of the second name on his list. While few would be surprised to see Tom Brady at the top, Williams’ decision to rank Aaron Rodgers as the second-best quarterback ever is particularly noteworthy given the history between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

Who is the greatest QB of all time?

Tom Brady is the greatest QB of all time according to Caleb Williams, but, Aaron Rodgers got a tremendous recognition from the Bears’ star. For more than a decade, Rodgers tormented the Bears while establishing himself as one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. As a result, many Chicago fans still associate him with some of the franchise’s most frustrating moments.

That makes Williams’ praise especially significant. Rather than letting the rivalry influence his opinion, the Bears quarterback openly acknowledged Rodgers’ greatness and placed him ahead of numerous legendary passers.

The timing is also interesting because Rodgers is preparing for what is expected to be his final NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As one generation of quarterbacks begins to take over the league, Williams made it clear that he still views Rodgers as one of the defining players in NFL history.

For months, the Bears have explored alternatives to remain competitive off the field while building a long-term home for the organization. Indiana emerged as a serious option because of its willingness to support a major stadium development project and the economic opportunities that could follow.

Now, with the Bears taking a significant step toward making the move a reality, Indiana officials are openly embracing the possibility of welcoming one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises.

Indiana could be the new home of the Bears

Indiana Governor Mike Braun released a statement following the Bears’ vote and made it clear that state leaders view the project as a transformative opportunity for the region.

“Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state! We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ’85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come. An NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region like we haven’t seen before. I also want to thank the entire Chicago Bears organization for their partnership and commitment in making this move a reality. Welcome to Indiana!”

The statement is notable because it goes beyond simply expressing support. Braun’s comments suggest Indiana officials are already treating the project as a realistic outcome and are eager to highlight the economic benefits that could accompany the arrival of an NFL franchise.

While questions remain about timelines and final approvals, the Bears’ vote and Braun’s enthusiastic response have reinforced the growing belief that the organization may be preparing to begin a historic new chapter outside Illinois after more than a century of history in the state.

Following the team’s vote to advance the project, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker released a statement expressing frustration with the process while reiterating his desire to find a solution that keeps the franchise in the state.

“The Bears have built a storied legacy in Illinois for over 100 years but have spent the last six years, and especially the last few months, shifting their position on a stadium location. That has hindered their progress. Today appears to be another instance of that after Illinois leaders have been working with the Bears in good faith. Governor Pritzker has always been clear that he wants the Bears to stay in Illinois and still remains open to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers.”

Chicago will try to convince Bears

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also responded to the Bears’ announcement and suggested that the vote should not be interpreted as a final decision. While acknowledging the significance of the development, he emphasized that several important steps remain before any relocation becomes official.

“Over the last several years the Bears have stated their intentions in multiple jurisdictions, today’s announcement is not surprising. It’s also not surprising that Bears officials have stated this vote does not mean a move to Hammond is a done deal. Without a final site selection, until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City of Chicago will continue to engage in discussions grounded in the interests of our residents.”

The statements from Pritzker and Johnson reveal that Illinois leaders are still actively trying to keep the Bears in the state despite the franchise’s latest move. For now, the path toward Indiana appears more realistic than ever, but local officials are signaling that the battle over the Bears’ future home is far from finished.

Much of that optimism revolves around quarterback Caleb Williams, who has quickly developed into one of the league’s brightest young stars. The Bears came painfully close to reaching the Super Bowl last season, only to fall to the Los Angeles Rams in an unforgettable Divisional Round showdown.

While the focus remains on football, another major storyline could shape the future of the organization. For months, the Bears have explored options for a new stadium, and Indiana has emerged as a serious contender due to the incentives and development opportunities available to the franchise.

Are the Bears leaving Chicago?

The answer appears to be yes. In a major development, Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren released a statement confirming that the organization is moving forward with plans for a stadium project in Hammond, Indiana.

“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected. We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana and the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across the neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and business.”

The announcement represents a potentially historic moment for one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises. Although the Bears would remain closely tied to the Chicago metropolitan area, relocating their home stadium to Indiana would mark the beginning of a new chapter in team’s history and one of the most significant moves the league has seen in years.

The classic Madden curse has been very popular among social media in the latest years. The Madden curse is a popular superstition that claims that the players who appear on the cover of the game suffer immediate misfortune, whether it’s injuries or declines in on-field performances.

But let’s see how the last 10 cover players performed the season they were given the opportunity to be the face of the NFL‘s most-bought videogame:

• 2026: Saquon Barkley – 1.140 rush yds/ 7 rush TDs/ 4.1 YPC – Wild Card Round exit
• 2025: Christian McCaffrey – 348 total yds/ 0 TDs/ 4 games played – Not in playoffs (6-11 Reg. Season)
• 2024: Josh Allen – 4.306 yds/ 29 TDs/ 18 INTs/ 5th MVP voting – Divisional Round exit
• 2023: John Madden homage, no players.
• 2022: Tom Brady (485 completions/ 5.316 yds/ 43 TDs/ 12 INTs/ 2nd MVP voting) and Patrick Mahomes (436 completions/ 4.839 yds/ 37 TDs/ 13 INTs) – Buccaneers: Divisional Round exit / Chiefs: AFC Game exit
• 2021: Lamar Jackson – 376 completions/ 2.757 yds/ 26 TDs/ 9 INTs/ 1.005 rush yds/ 7 rush TDs – Divisional Round exit
• 2020: Patrick Mahomes – 319 completions/ 4.031 yds/ 26 TDs/ 5 INTs – Super Bowl champion
• 2019: Antonio Brown – 104 rec/ 1.297 rec yds/ 15 TDs – Not in playoffs (9-6-1 Reg. Season)
• 2018: Tom Brady – 385 completions/ 4.577 yds/ 32 TDs/ 8 INTs/ MVP – Lost Super Bowl
• 2017: Rob Gronkowski – 25 rec/ 540 rec yds/ 3 TDs/ 8 games played – Super Bowl champion

How did Caleb Williams play in 2025 to get considered the Madden 27 cover?

Caleb Williams’ sophomore year was an upgrade on his rookie season. While still erratic, he was clutch and guided the Bears to their best season in quite some time. Also, his popularity has been big since his College Football days, and that will go a long way on getting to the Madden 27 cover.

Williams guided the Bears to an 11-6 record, completing 330 passes on just 58.1% accuracy for 3.942 yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a league-leading six 4th-quarter comebacks. The Bears went all the way to the Divisional Round and lost by just three against the Rams.

Has there been any Bears player on a Madden cover before?

Caleb Williams would be the first-ever Chicago Bears player to be on a Madden cover, at least in the United States. Back for Madden NFL 09, the international cover outside of the US featured offensive lineman Roberto Garza, who was on the Bears at the time.

When Williams was selected first overall, expectations were sky-high. While he has lived up to the hype with jaw-dropping individual performances, the organization wants him to refine his execution to protect his longevity and maximize his efficiency.

Bears quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett recently advised Williams to master the “boring” plays. While Barrett is well aware of the young signal-caller’s elite off-script capability, he has urged him to consistently take the open check-downs and intermediate routes that opposing defenses yield, rather than forcing low-percentage hero ball.

“We can be efficient and take what the defense is giving,” Barrett said, per the Chicago Sun-Times. “You don’t necessarily have to put the cape on and make those crazy plays because you already were killing them in the first three quarters.”

Caleb Williams is primed to rewrite the Bears’ record books

Williams is already building his legacy Chicago. The next major milestone on his radar is achieving a 4,000-yard passing season—a benchmark no quarterback has ever reached in the long history of the Bears franchise.

He came tantalizingly close during his breakout 2025 campaign, throwing for a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards alongside 27 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. Following a promising playoff run that culminated in an NFC North championship, fans believe the sky is the limit for the young star. However, as Barrett noted, reaching that next tier of elite quarterback play requires mastering his rhythm and pacing within the pocket.

The future is incredibly bright for both the franchise and their franchise quarterback. The front office has aggressively surrounded him with premier offensive weapons, and under the guidance of head coach Ben Johnson, Williams has the perfect infrastructure to build a lasting dynasty for Chicago in the NFC North.

The action will begin on Thanksgiving Eve when the Green Bay Packers travel to Los Angeles to face Matthew Stafford and the Rams in a high-profile primetime showdown. With the Rams once again viewed as serious championship contenders, the matchup immediately gives fans one of the biggest games of the entire week before Thanksgiving officially even begins.

Then comes a stacked Thanksgiving Day tripleheader. The Chicago Bears will visit the Detroit Lions in the traditional early game before the Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles in one of the NFL’s biggest rivalries. But the main event arrives at night when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs face Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium in what could easily become one of the most anticipated games of the entire 2026 season.

NFL loaded Thanksgiving week with blockbuster matchups

As if the Thanksgiving schedule itself were not enough, the NFL also added another major matchup for Black Friday. The Pittsburgh Steelers, potentially led by Aaron Rodgers if he ultimately signs with the franchise, will host the Denver Broncos in another game possibly loaded with playoff implications and national attention.

The overall lineup reflects the NFL’s strategy of placing its biggest brands and most marketable stars in standalone windows during one of the most watched sports weekends of the year. Between Mahomes, Allen, Stafford, the Cowboys, Eagles, Steelers, and possibly Rodgers, the league managed to stack nearly every marquee attraction into a single holiday stretch.

On paper, this already looks like one of the strongest Thanksgiving football schedules the NFL has ever assembled. If the teams involved live up to expectations, the 2026 holiday slate could easily become one of the most memorable weekends of the entire season.

Miller left the Bucs in 2022 after failing to replicate his 2020 production. He then joined the Atlanta Falcons and, most recently, was part of the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent the past two seasons as a depth piece and special teams contributor.

Now, Miller joins a high-powered offense led by quarterback Caleb Williams. While he is not expected to be a primary target, his presence on the roster could be key in the explosive offense that Ben Johnson is known for, utilizing every weapon available.

As of today, Rome Odunze is the WR1 following DJ Moore’s trade to the Buffalo Bills. Luther Burden III serves as the WR2, and Kalif Raymond is the primary third-string option. The wide receiver group is rounded out by Zavion Thomas, Maurice Alexander, Jahdae Walker, JP Richardson, Omari Kelly, Squirrel White, and, obviously, Scotty Miller.

The Bears are solid, but Moore’s exit raises concerns

Last year, the Bears flourished with Ben Johnson as their new head coach. He arrived as a high-profile hire with an extraordinary offensive mindset, which helped Caleb Williams showcase his skills brilliantly.

Unfortunately, the team lost DJ Moore this offseason. The departure of the veteran wide receiver could have a significant impact on the offense, especially with the quick promotion of Rome Odunze to the WR1 role and the lack of an established veteran behind him.

Burden, a 2025 second-round pick, had a solid rookie season last year. However, fans are concerned that moving on from Moore may have been premature and that the experiment of relying on Burden as the definitive WR2 may be too risky.

Ben Johnson has had his eyes on Scotty Miller since his days in Tampa Bay

There is a clear strategy behind Scotty Miller’s arrival in Chicago. Ben Johnson has followed his career since Miller’s tenure with the Buccaneers, and Miller’s connection with Bears wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El was a key factor in the decision to sign him.

“He’s got a history with [wide receivers] coach [Antwaan] Randle El,” Bears coach Ben Johnson told reporters. “Randle El was with him when he was a young buck there in Tampa, so there are some shared experiences. Looking forward to seeing him run around and compete a little bit. From afar, I’ve been able to see the speed, quickness. [He’s] certainly very intriguing.”

“It was good for me to be able to see, to be able to feel, to be able to go out there and win games,” Williams said at the start of voluntary workouts. “But that wasn’t my goal, that’s not my goal. That’s not where I want to be. I want to be the best. I want to win. I want to be, as we call it, a world champion, a Super Bowl champion. I want to be the best Bears quarterback, best quarterback.

“Yes, that was a good steppingstone for me, but that wasn’t the last stepping stone. Being able to grow off of last year and be able to progress in ways that I want to. That last year wasn’t really anything. It was a good year and we’ve got many more good years coming up.”

Caleb Williams’ standout 2025 season

Caleb Williams enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in 2025, firmly establishing himself as the face of the Chicago Bears franchise. Starting every game for the second consecutive year, Williams set a new Bears single-season record with 3,942 passing yards and finished the year with an impressive 27-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

His poise under pressure was historically significant, as he led the team to seven late-game comebacks—an NFL record since 1970—including a spectacular overtime game-winner against the Packers. By leading Chicago to an 11–6 record and their first NFC North title since 2018, Williams proved he is one of the league’s elite young signal-callers.

Entering the history books of the Bears

Making his way into the history of this franchise will not be an easy task for Caleb Williams. Names such as Sid Luckman, who revolutionized the position in the 1940s, and Jay Cutler, the franchise leader in passing yards (23,443) and touchdowns (154), belong to a select group of idols.

Additionally, the name of Jim McMahon cannot be overlooked. Led by him, they managed to win Super Bowl XX after defeating the New England Patriots 46–10.

Ben Johnson aims to keep the Bears at the top

The arrival of Ben Johnson brought a major boost in quality to a team that had been struggling for some time in the NFC North. Now the message is crystal clear: maintain the standard of an elite team, something that Caleb Williams agrees with.

”My answer is, ‘Yes, sir. Let’s do it,'” Williams said of Johnson. ”He is going to push me. I am going to push myself and I’m going to push my teammates. And he’s going to push my teammates and things like that.

“We’re going to find ways to get better. We’re going to find ways to reach where we want to reach. That starts with the detail. That starts with the everyday. That starts with the week-to-week of finding ways to get better.””

Bears aim to improve on their last season

The Chicago Bears set the bar high last season and will look to win the division again. However, it won’t be easy, as they will face tough competition from the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions, and the Minnesota Vikings.

These are the opponents they will face, with the goal of achieving their main objective of returning to a Super Bowl:

While not compelled to trade Lawrence, New York may find it best to move on from its star defensive lineman rather than drag out the drama and risk tension inside the locker room. If that’s the case, a report indicates the Giants have established their asking price for Lawrence to the rest of the NFL. As a result, the Bills and Bears may have a significant advantage over the Packers and Jaguars.

The Giants are reportedly asking for a late first-round or second-round 2026 selection in return for Lawrence. Chicago and Buffalo both have late first-round picks (25th and 26th overall picks, respectively) for the upcoming NFL Draft, whereas Green Bay and Jacksonville have both traded their first-rounders (20th and 24th overall, respectively).

The Packers and Jags could always make a trade to get back into the first round of the draft, but the odds of them making a move for a first-rounder only to send it to the Giants are slim. Thus, the Bills and Bears could be in pole position to make a trade for Lawrence happen. Both teams could really use a powerful nose tackle, and “Sexy Dexy” may be the best option out there, even as he comes off a down year in East Rutherford.

If it comes down to a second-round pick

In case the Giants settle for a second-round pick in a move involving Lawrence II, then the Bills could be in trouble. Buffalo traded its second-rounder (60th overall) to none other than Chicago, that has two picks in the second round (57th and 60th overall).

As for the Jaguars and Packers, they could tilt the scale in their favor thanks to their second-rounders. Still, it seems Jacksonville (56th) and Green Bay (52nd) would have to give up something more to come away with Lawrence. Especially if Chicago is in the mix, and is serious about bolstering its defense that recorded just 35 sacks last season—tied for fifth-least in the NFL.

Lawrence’s stats in 2025

Coming off a career year in 2024, Lawrence seemed to be missing a gear in the 2025 NFL season. He followed his career-high 9-sack campaign in 2024 with a measly 0.5 sacks the following year. Considering Lawrence missed five games in 2024 and didn’t miss a single outing in 2025, his low production definitely raised concerns in New York.

Now, he is looking for a fresh start elsewhere. Lawrence isn’t interested in seeing what John Harbaugh can make happen in the Big Apple. Whether the feeling is reciprocal or not remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though: the Giants won’t give Lawrence away. If New York trades him, it won’t be for peanuts.

“I wanted to play in Ben’s offense,” Raymond said to Dan Pompei of TheAthletic.com. As for the reasoning, Raymond was also very clear. Johnson is “extraordinarily creative, and honestly, you can be in any spot on the offense, and he will find a way to get you the ball. Just to be under him is a great privilege.”

Raymond played for Johnson in Detroit when he was the offensive coordinator. Judging by this move, his loyalty was with the coach, not the team. At 32 years old, Raymond is trying to milk the last good years of his NFL career.

Raymond’s numbers under Johnson

In three years under Johnson, Raymond had 99 catches, for 1,320 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 13.3 yards per reception. He was never atop of the depth chart, but Johnson found ways to utilize him in an effective way.

It seems like Raymond really valued that side of Johnson, hence his wish to reunite with him. Raymond is just 5’8″ and 180 lbs, but used properly, his speed can make a difference in the Bears‘ offense.

How is the Bears’ WR room looking?

Rome Odunze is the clear-cut WR1 of the team right now. Luther Burden III comes next in the pecking order, and Raymond is likely to be put in the slot position, at least for the next season.

Also, the Bears have two great tight ends in Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, who are as good as receiving as they are blocking. Ben Johnson also loves using his tight ends, so they are a big part of the passing game.