While Williams looks to build on his momentum, Daniels could miss Sunday’s game with a rib injury.
ASHBURN, Va. — Both the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders drafted the quarterback they wanted last spring: Chicago drafted Caleb Williamsfrom USC, with the first overall pick; one pick later, Washington chose Jayden Danielsde LSU.
Each quarterback has lived up to his team’s expectations so far. And if they continue their promising paths, the pair could compete for individual and team honors in the years to come. But it all starts with one award this season: the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY).
When the Commanders (5-2) host the Bears (4-2) on Sunday (4:25 p.m., ET, CBS) at Northwest Stadium, Daniels will enter the game as the -120 favorite to win the award, according to ESPN BET. Williams is next at +105, followed by Malik Nabersof the New York Giants (+2200), and Brian Thomas Jr., of the Jacksonville Jaguars (+2500).
However, there is a chance the story of the favorites for the award could be ruined as Daniels is in doubt due to a rib injury. But the award will be for a season, not for a game.
ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin and Commanders reporter John Keim weigh in on Williams and Daniels’ chances of earning the GOLD award.
Jayden Daniels, Commanders
Statistics: Daniels has thrown for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions and is behind Josh Allen(77.6) of the Buffalo Bills, and Lamar Jackson (74.3), of the Baltimore Ravens, in total QBR with 73.9. Daniels has rushed for 372 yards and four touchdowns. He leads the NFL in completion percentage with 75.6.
Beyond the statistics: With 90 passing yards and 28 rushing yards, Daniels would join former Washington star Robert Griffin III as the only players in NFL history with 1,500 passing yards and 400 rushing yards in their first eight career games. . Daniels has already set two records: the highest completion percentage after four games at 82.1% and the first to complete at least 85% of his passes in consecutive games.
Why you could win the OROY: After four games, he was already being mentioned as a possible MVP candidate and was named Rookie of the Month for September. There are multiple reasons for Washington’s offensive resurgence, including coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and his staff. But it all starts with Daniels.
Washington averages 30.1 points per game; he hasn’t topped 20 points per game in a season since 2017. Daniels’ accuracy helps the passing game, and his run threat helps others in the running game.
Let’s also consider that Daniels joined a franchise that hasn’t had a winning season since 2016 and won just four games last year, and has a new coaching staff and a revamped roster. However, after just seven games, the Commanders are considered a strong contender to win the division.
“He’s the leader of our team,” the veteran tight end said. Zach Ertz. “He’s a phenomenal player and he’s going to be a great player for a long time.”
Why you might fall short: Daniels’ durability in the second half will be tested. He has been hit 79 times this season, the sixth-most among quarterbacks.
At 210 pounds, Daniels is lean. Will injuries slow him down at some point down the stretch? Chances are, Williams can emerge with the talent around him. He has a 75.3 QBR over his last three games, down from 46.5 on the season, and benefits from a stronger defense that gives him more opportunities. — Keim
Caleb Williams, Bears
Statistics: Williams has thrown for 1,317 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. His 65.3% completion percentage and 88.7 passer rating rank 20th among starting quarterbacks, while his 46.4 overall passer rating ranks 26th. After an uneven start to 1-2, Williams has thrown six touchdowns and just one interception in his last two games for an offense that ranks 12th in points per game (24.7).
Beyond the statistics: If Williams throws for 300 yards and two touchdowns against the Commanders, he will become the fifth quarterback in the Super Bowl era to have three such games in his first seven starts.
Why you could win the OROY: Williams had a passer rating above 100 in each of his last three games while completing 74.1% of his passes since Week 4, and is the catalyst for an offense with a lot of potential. Chicago’s offense has begun to take off, scoring 35 points in consecutive wins over the Carolina Panthers and Jaguars. The first overall pick is three touchdowns away from setting a franchise record for rookies (12) and would eclipse the Bears’ rookie passing record of Mitchell Trubisky (2,193 yards) while averaging 219.5 yards per game.
And while he has raised the bar for a once-dormant passing attack, Williams has also shown he can be a threat to create out of the box with 110 rushing yards (7.3 yards/rush) in his last three games.
“I mean, who are defenses going to stop?” the wide receiver said. Keenan Allen. “Are you going to stop the quarterback or the route-running guys? It’s hard to do both.”
Why you may fall short: The team’s success could influence a player’s chances of winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Stroud won it last year by leading the Houston Texans to the postseason. The Bears will need to keep winning in a crowded NFC North, where all four teams have winning records and the three defenses Williams will face twice each between Weeks 11 and 18 rank in the top 10 in average effectiveness per game.
That streak will ultimately determine whether the Bears are a playoff team, and their path to getting there will require a lot from their rookie quarterback. — Cron’s
