Byard played two seasons with Williams, where he saw the growth Williams made from Year 1 to Year 2 and how working with head coach Ben Johnson helped him take the next step. When praising Williams, Byard made a bold proclamation about what he expects his former quarterback to ultimately become, and accomplish, in the NFL. And it would certainly have Bears<\/a> fans jumping for joy.<\/p>\n “Him being able to grow into Ben Johnson’s offense, it was great to see,” Byard said during an interview with Jordan Schultz<\/a>. “So I can just only imagine what it’s going to look like and feel like in Year 2 of Ben Johnson’s system. When he moves on the run, he’s more accurate than he is when he just, it’s the craziest thing in the world. I expect him to be one of the top quarterbacks, if not top two, top three quarterbacks in the league. And I think he got some Super Bowls in his sights as well.”<\/p>\n During his second season, Williams established himself as one of the NFL’s most clutch quarterbacks. Williams led an NFL-record seven fourth-quarter comebacks during the 2025 season during the Bears’ magical run that included an NFC North title and first playoff win in nearly two decades. Byard saw it firsthand, and he gushed about Williams’ clutch ability, even comparing him to another Chicago legend.<\/p>\n “I think Caleb almost wants to be in those moments more than blow somebody out,” Byard said. “We all want to blow people out,” Byard said when discussing Williams in those clutch moments, “…But that’s who he is — a clutch player. He has a clutch gene that you literally cannot coach. Not to compare him to Michael Jordan, but everybody say Michael Jordan. The reason why he’s probably the G.O.A.T. is because he has that gene.”<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n While Williams still has a long way to go to live up to the Jordan comparisons, it’s clear he’s on his way to becoming a special player in the NFL. And it sounds like Byard can’t wait to watch it happen, even from afar.<\/p>\n Follow Bears Wire on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/89117630007-bryantbradburybush.png\")
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