Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returned from a three-game absence and immediately made history, throwing his 50th career touchdown pass while keeping his interception total at 14.
The Bears quarterback connected with tight end Colston Loveland on a 14-yard score during the opening drive against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The play capped a 10-play, 67-yard march that put the Bears ahead early.
Williams entered the contest with 49 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions across 36 regular-season games. The scoring throw moved him into rare company as only the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 50 career touchdowns with 15 or fewer interceptions.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens are the only other players to accomplish the feat. Both are multiple-time Pro Bowl selections and league Most Valuable Player award winners.
Williams had been sidelined since suffering a right hamstring injury in a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 20. He practiced fully throughout the week and was listed as active for the first time since Week 2.
The Bears went 2-1 in his absence, with Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent sharing starting duties. Chicago entered Sunday at 3-2 overall and sat in a three-way tie for second place in the NFC North.
Through the first half, Williams completed 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and the one touchdown with no interceptions. The Bears led 21-7 at the break, having outgained the Falcons 243-97.
Williams also rushed for 107 yards and two scores in his two games before the injury. He has now thrown for 7,890 yards in his career with a 60.5 completion percentage and an 89.1 passer rating.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft set several franchise rookie records in his first season, then led the Bears to an 11-6 mark and the NFC North title in 2025 under new coach Ben Johnson. He threw for a team-record 3,942 yards that year with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Sunday marked the first meeting between Williams and Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., another member of the 2024 first-round quarterback class. Penix started after dealing with a rib injury from the previous week.
The Bears’ offense has leaned on a strong running game this season, ranking among the league leaders in rushing yards per game. Williams’ return provides a clear upgrade in the downfield passing attack that struggled at times without him.
D’Andre Swift scored twice on the ground for Chicago in the first half, including a four-yard run that made it 14-0. Loveland finished the half with five catches for 60 yards and the touchdown.
Williams’ efficiency early in the contest underscored the progress he has made since his rookie year, when sack totals and turnover issues limited the offense. His interception rate remains among the lowest for any young quarterback with significant volume.
The Bears face a short week ahead with a Thursday night home game against the New England Patriots. Williams’ ability to stay healthy will be key as Chicago looks to build on its early-season success.
His latest milestone adds to a growing list of early-career achievements, including the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception by a rookie and franchise marks for single-season passing yards.
