Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has placed Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams fifth on his list of the top 10 NFL quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season, a ranking that has drawn widespread attention for elevating the young signal-caller above several established stars.
The list, shared Monday by DraftKings, puts Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams at No. 1, followed by New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye at No. 2, Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen at No. 3 and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at No. 4. Williams slots in at No. 5, ahead of Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
Williams’ placement stands out as particularly high given his limited experience.
The 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick is entering only his third NFL season. In 2025, he threw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 58.1 percent of his passes for a 90.1 passer rating. He also added 388 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
Those numbers helped the Bears finish 11-6 and capture the NFC North title before a playoff exit. Williams set a franchise single-season passing yardage record in the process, surpassing the previous mark held by Erik Kramer since 1995. His performance marked a clear step forward from a rocky rookie year that featured more sacks and inconsistency.
Portnoy’s decision to rank Williams ahead of Burrow and Hurts has fueled debate. Burrow has guided the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and remains one of the league’s most accurate passers when healthy. Hurts led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory and continues to produce dual-threat production. Both have longer résumés of postseason success than the 24-year-old Williams.
Yet Portnoy has made clear his evaluation prioritizes recent results and upward trajectory.
“I value playoff success, which is why I’m not a Lamar Jackson guy and why I don’t have him as a top 10 QB,” Portnoy said while explaining other omissions from the list. Williams’ role in Chicago’s return to the postseason appears to have factored into the high placement.
The ranking also reflects a broader shift in the quarterback landscape. Stafford earned MVP honors in 2025 after throwing for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. Maye earned second-team All-Pro recognition and finished as runner-up in MVP voting during a breakout campaign with the Patriots. Both finished ahead of traditional powers like Mahomes, whose Chiefs endured a more difficult year.
Williams’ inclusion at No. 5 underscores growing belief in the Bears’ long-term outlook under new coaching. Chicago improved its offensive line and supporting cast after Williams’ first season, reducing sacks dramatically and allowing him to operate with greater freedom. His ability to create plays outside structure and deliver in late-game situations contributed to multiple comebacks during the 2025 campaign.
Critics of the ranking point to Williams’ completion percentage and occasional accuracy issues as reasons for caution. His on-target rate ranked near the bottom of the league at times, and drops by receivers further limited production. Still, the raw arm talent, mobility and poise under pressure have convinced some observers that the ceiling remains among the highest in the sport.
Portnoy’s list has generated strong reactions across social media and sports talk platforms, with many questioning the elevation of younger quarterbacks over veterans with proven championship pedigrees. Others view it as validation of Williams’ rapid development and the Bears’ organizational progress.
As the 2026 season approaches, the ranking serves as an early statement on where Portnoy sees the league’s hierarchy. Whether Williams sustains the momentum remains to be seen on the field. For now, the No. 5 spot marks one of the more optimistic assessments of the former USC star’s place among the NFL’s elite passers.
The surprising placement ensures the conversation around Williams will continue well into training camp and the early weeks of the regular season.
