Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, the quarterbacks selected first and third in the 2024 NFL Draft, will meet again Thursday night when the Chicago Bears welcome the New England Patriots in prime time.
The matchup reunites two young passers whose careers have already taken different but increasingly successful paths. Maye led New England past Chicago, 19-3, in their rookie-season meeting at Soldier Field and has since guided the Patriots to a Super Bowl. Williams, meanwhile, powered multiple late-game rallies last season and helped Chicago come close to an NFC Championship Game berth.
Maye praises Williams before Thursday matchup
Asked what he appreciates about Williams’ game, Maye pointed to the Bears quarterback’s ability to operate when the pocket breaks down.
“The way he moves inside the pocket and gets away from pressure is special,” Maye said. “Watching him throw while he is on the move is impressive. I do not know if I can make all the plays he makes because he is so loose and athletic.”
Maye also credited Williams’ arm strength and the connection he has developed with Chicago.
“He has a lot of talent, and he is enjoyable to watch,” Maye said. “He is doing a really good job, and you can see that the city is behind him.”
Quarterbacks arrive in form
- Maye opened the season averaging 195.0 passing yards across his first three games.
- During New England’s ensuing three-game winning streak, he has lifted that average to 292.7 yards per game while the Patriots have scored 33.3 points per outing.
- Over that span, Maye has produced 10 touchdown passes against one interception, including no interceptions over the last two weeks.
- His most recent 10 quarters have included 767 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, 10 total touchdowns, a 127.4 passer rating, no turnovers and only one sack.
- Maye has now thrown at least three touchdown passes in three consecutive games, a career first.
Williams returned last Sunday after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury and immediately showed sharp timing against Atlanta. He completed his first 12 attempts and finished with 24 successful dropbacks when Atlanta did not generate pressure.
That performance continued a major accuracy turnaround. Williams finished last season last in the NFL among qualifying quarterbacks at 58.1 percent completions. This season, with a minimum of 75 attempts, he leads the league at 72.5 percent.
Williams’ improved placement, combined with his off-schedule playmaking and ability to create explosive throws, gives the Bears a dangerous quarterback heading into a nationally televised test against a Patriots offense that has found its stride behind Maye.
