Caleb Williams entered the NFL as one of the most highly-touted prospects in league history. The former Heisman winner was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bears in 2024 and was expected to immediately become one of the best players in the entire league. After all, he was pinned with Patrick Mahomes comparisons during his time at Oklahoma and USC.

While Williams showed flashes during his first two seasons, some have argued that the QB hasn't live up to expectations thus far. That was until the Bears' Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers and Bryce Young, a player who the Panthers gave up the draft capital that became Williams, to draft him in 2023.

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During the first game of the season, the former number one pick had 269 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He added 65 yards and two scores on the ground while leading his team to a 59-37 victory. The team set nearly every opening-game record in franchise history, including points (59) and total yards (508). Williams' 124.1 passer rating, 72.4% completion percentage, and 0.48 EPA per dropback were also the best Bears marks in an opener at least dating back to the turn of the century.

Williams' MVP potential is starting to become a reality, and the sportsbook at BetOnline proves as much. The quarterback has the third-shortest odds (+700) to win MVP after Week 1. Williams only trails Josh Allen (+500) and Lamar Jackson (+600) in that regard. If Williams' team can break the single-season scoring record, as Ben Johnson wants them to, Williams would almost surely be crowned the best player of the season.