Caleb Williams ranks Aaron Rodgers as his No. 2 quarterback of all time, behind Tom Brady

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams did not shy away from the question of greatness when he appeared at EA Sports’ Opening Drive event. Asked who he believes is the best quarterback of all time, Williams answered Tom Brady first, then placed Aaron Rodgers as his No. 2, a ranking that both adds fuel to the quarterback conversation and underscores the way current stars still define their eras through past benchmarks.

According to reports from the event coverage, Williams explained the Brady part of his list with a Super Bowl-based argument, saying it is “hard to debate” the top spot because Brady won seven championships. He then described Rodgers as “probably number two” in his own ranking, positioning the former Packers quarterback as the closest alternative to Brady’s resume.

Williams’ comments came alongside a marketing milestone for the Bears. EA Sports has named Williams the cover athlete for Madden NFL 27, the first time a Chicago Bears player has appeared on the cover of the franchise, a point highlighted in the same event reporting. For the league’s rising face, it is a reminder that the quarterback spotlight in 2026 is not limited to training camps and regular-season narratives, but also extends to how the NFL is packaged for mainstream audiences.

The Rodgers acknowledgment also matters because it is more than a throwaway compliment. Rodgers, now long removed from Green Bay’s starting lineup, remains a frequent reference point for how to view quarterback longevity, play-making, and the difference between peak seasons and career body-of-work. Williams’ ranking suggests that, even with the Bears’ rebuilding and competitive aspirations in flux, the newest wave still measures itself against the standards set in the Rodgers-Bundled era.

Statistical context is part of why the conversation keeps returning to Rodgers. One outlet’s coverage of the ranking pointed to Rodgers’ long-term production, citing his placement among the all-time passing yards and touchdown lists and noting how close he is to other legends in key categories. Those kinds of career markers, rather than any single moment, help explain why Rodgers stays in the upper tier of quarterback arguments even as the NFL’s roster cycles move on.

For Bears fans, the Williams-Rodgers praise lands in a specific cultural moment: Chicago is trying to lock in its quarterback identity while the league continues to elevate passing games across divisions. What Williams says in a media setting will not change who executes on Sundays, but it does reflect the mental framework young quarterbacks bring into the season. Expect future interviews to keep circling back to who Williams models his game after, especially as the Bears build continuity around the offense.

Next to watch is how the Madden cover publicity translates into on-field expectations. Williams’ offseason messaging is now inseparable from the larger story of his second and third seasons, and Rodgers will continue to be part of that story as a “reference point” even if he is not the direct weekly opponent. The immediate impact will be cultural, while the real evaluation will come from the Bears’ ability to sustain offensive efficiency and convert that promise into results.

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