Drake Maye vs. Caleb Williams: Who would go first now?

Drake Maye and Caleb Williams have emerged as the two best quarterbacks from the 2024 NFL Draft class. Both have flashed the talent to become franchise cornerstones, and both have given their respective fan bases plenty of reason to believe they’ve found their quarterback of the future. But when comparing the two, here’s why Williams has the stronger case as the better quarterback.

Maye was outstanding for New England last season, when he finished second in MVP voting, and he’s found his rhythm once again in recent weeks. His accuracy, mobility, and ability to push the ball downfield have established him as one of the NFL’s most exciting young quarterbacks. However, Williams has a compelling argument in his favor when you consider his ball security, ability to deliver in clutch moments, the competition he faces, and the support he’s received from his team.

Williams has the edge in ball security

One of the biggest differences between the two quarterbacks is their ability to protect the football. Williams threw just six interceptions as a rookie in 2024 and seven more in 2025. Maye, meanwhile, threw 10 interceptions in his rookie season and another eight in 2025. Through the first six weeks of the 2026 season, Maye has already thrown seven interceptions while losing two fumbles.

Turnovers aren't the only measure of a quarterback, but they can be the difference between winning and losing close games. Williams has shown he can hunt for the big play without sacrificing ball security. He combines his willingness to take risks with an ability to limit costly mistakes, helping Chicago avoid giving opponents extra possessions and favorable field position.

Williams' ability to produce without consistently putting the ball in harm's way is becoming increasingly impressive. He recently joined Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson as the only three quarterbacks in NFL history to reach 50 career touchdown passes while recording 15 or fewer interceptions.

Maye has demonstrated the ability to be spectacular, but his turnovers have created unnecessary obstacles for New England. Ball security was a major issue for the Patriots in last year's Super Bowl and contributed to their losses in Weeks 1 and 2 this season. Until Maye proves he can consistently protect the football, his tendency to give away possessions will remain a significant concern and a key advantage for Williams in this comparison.

Williams has proven he can deliver comeback wins

Perhaps Williams' greatest selling point is his ability to lead Chicago back from the brink. During the Bears' 2025 campaign, they emerged as one of the NFL's most dangerous comeback teams, winning the NFC North and advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs. Williams played a central role in that turnaround, consistently demonstrating poise when games appeared to be slipping away.

The former Heisman Trophy winner led the NFL with seven comeback wins last season, including a memorable postseason victory over Green Bay. Williams has shown a knack for delivering when the pressure is at its highest, giving the Bears a chance to win even when they appear to be on the ropes.

Patriots fans know how valuable that quality can be after watching Tom Brady spend two decades lifting his team in critical moments. Having a quarterback you trust with the game on the line is invaluable, and Williams has demonstrated an ability to elevate his team when it matters most. His arm talent, improvisational skills, and willingness to extend plays make him dangerous late in games, even when the offense isn't firing on all cylinders.

Maye has shown flashes of that same poise, most notably in New England’s upset victory over Buffalo earlier this season, when he delivered in a crucial divisional matchup. To be fair, Maye has had fewer opportunities to build a comparable résumé in comeback situations, making a direct comparison difficult. However, he has also come up short in several key moments, giving Williams the stronger track record when it comes to leading his team back from a deficit.

Still, Williams' track record speaks for itself. His ability to rally Chicago from deficits and deliver in high-pressure moments gives him a compelling edge over Maye. When a game hangs in the balance, Williams has repeatedly shown he can find a way to get his team across the finish line.

Williams is making significant progress

Williams entered the NFL with elite arm talent and an ability to create plays outside the pocket, but his rookie season also exposed some glaring weaknesses. He completed 62.5% of his passes in 2024 while taking a rookie-record 68 sacks. In 2025, however, he made significant strides in protecting himself, cutting that number to just 24 sacks over 17 games.

That improvement is a major development in Williams’ progression. He has become better at recognizing pressure, making quicker decisions, and avoiding unnecessary losses behind the line of scrimmage. Although his completion percentage dipped to 58.1% in 2025, he has bounced back in the early stages of 2026, completing 72.5% of his passes through his first three games.

That early-season accuracy is an encouraging sign that Williams is becoming a more complete quarterback. He is learning to pair his exceptional physical tools with improved decision-making and the fundamentals necessary to succeed consistently at the NFL level. If he continues to make strides in those areas, Williams has the potential to become an even more dangerous quarterback for opposing defenses.

Maye's accuracy and overall passing production give him a clear advantage in those areas. Still, Williams is showing that he can address his weaknesses and become a more well-rounded quarterback. That matters when evaluating the long-term outlook for both players. Williams entered the league with exceptional physical tools, and his ability to translate those gifts into more efficient play suggests he is still developing into the quarterback Chicago envisioned when it selected him first overall.

Maye may have the statistical edge right now, but Williams' progress in sack avoidance and accuracy suggests the gap between the two could be narrower than their overall numbers indicate. If Williams continues to improve his decision-making without sacrificing his playmaking ability, he has a compelling case to be the better quarterback moving forward.

A tougher division and less margin for error

Williams also faces a demanding NFC North featuring the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings. Maye has to contend with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East, but the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins have offered little resistance so far this season. Williams faces a more consistently competitive divisional landscape, leaving less room for error as he navigates the NFC North.

Maye has also benefited from stronger defensive support in New England, giving the Patriots a chance to remain competitive even when their offense struggles. Last season, the Patriots boasted a top-four scoring defense and ranked among the top eight teams in total yards allowed. That support proved especially valuable during their postseason run, when New England's defense helped keep games manageable. The Patriots also allowed just eight more points than Chicago despite playing two additional playoff games.

Chicago, by comparison, ranked among the league's bottom four teams in total yards allowed and finished 23rd in points allowed. The Bears' defense offered far less consistency, placing greater pressure on Williams to deliver offensively and keep his team in games.

The difference in defensive support is important when evaluating the two quarterbacks. Maye deserves credit for his production, but he has benefited from a defense capable of covering up offensive mistakes and keeping opponents off the scoreboard. Williams has had less of that safety net in Chicago, making his ability to produce comeback victories and carry his team in critical moments even more impressive.

The Verdict: Caleb Williams still goes first

Maye is an outstanding young quarterback, and his accuracy, production, and upside make him a legitimate franchise centerpiece. This isn't a debate with an obvious or permanent answer.

But Williams has demonstrated the ability to lead dramatic comebacks, has improved both his completion percentage and his sack rate, and thrives in a challenging division. When combined with his arm talent and improvisational skills, those traits make him the more compelling quarterback right now.

Drake Maye might have the cleaner statistical ceiling, but Caleb Williams has shown the ability to find ways to win when the odds are stacked against him. For now, Williams gets the nod.