National reactions: Bears QB Caleb Williams garners respect across NFL

The Chicago Bears suffered a tough defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, 42-38, in one of the NFL’s most exciting games of the year in what could be a potential playoff rematch down the line.

While the Bears lost, they’re garnering plenty of praise and respect for hanging with the 49ers in a shootout, most notably quarterback Caleb Williams, who had arguably the best game of the season on the road in prime time. Williams completed 25-of-42 passes for 330 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers for a 100.3 passer rating.

Williams made sensational throws all night, including a pair of 30-plus yard touchdowns to rookies Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland. Williams nearly led his NFL-record seventh fourth-quarter comeback before running out of time on the final play of the game. It was an inspired performance by Williams, and it’s clear the future is bright with head coach Ben Johnson and Williams for the foreseeable future.

Here is a national roundup from around the NFL following Williams’ impressive outing in the Bears’ loss to the 49ers.

Bears QB Caleb Williams draws praise for performance vs. 49ers

Caleb ….I APOLOGIZE you arrived arrived valet out front sheesh ….

— LeSean Shady Mccoy (@CutonDime25) December 29, 2025

Caleb Williams just has special, special arm talent, man.

Flatfooted, left arm pinned against his body as if it’s in a sling, defender in his face, and with a simple flick of the wrist, he drops it into a bucket 50 yards downfield.

Again: Special. pic.twitter.com/8HHxr2NtW3

— Mike Kennedy (@MikeKennedyNFL) December 29, 2025

The velocity Caleb gets on the ball is out of this world. That ball had no arc. Magical. Inhuman.

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) December 29, 2025

As heartbreaking as that finish was, how many times in your life can you remember the Bears playing in a shootout?

Caleb Williams is like a big time home run hitter in baseball.

Any moment can be the moment.

— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) December 29, 2025

I know the @49ers won that game but daaaayum the @ChicagoBears are fun to watch.
Caleb Williams is the real deal.
That hook-n-ladder was sick.

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 29, 2025

Not sure I’ve seen a QB grow more exponentially between years 1 and 2 than Caleb

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) December 29, 2025

The outrageous physical talents of Caleb Williams are now meeting with excellent coaching and increased maturity… and… hoo boy. He gonna be a *problem* for the NFC North.

— Steve Czaban (@czabe) December 29, 2025

Caleb throwing to Odunze/Burden/Loveland, really nice future for the Bears

— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) December 29, 2025

Caleb just flicked his wrist and the ball flew 50 yards through the air

— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) December 29, 2025

Win or lose, I don’t know how you can come away from this game saying Caleb Williams isn’t a dude going forward.

— Ross Read (@RossRead) December 29, 2025