49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Claims Caleb Williams Is The “Most Athletic QB” He Has Ever Seen

Caleb Williams has contributed 26 total touchdowns in year two and has already sealed a playoff spot for the Bears.

49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Claims Caleb Williams Is The “Most Athletic QB” He Has Ever Seen

Caleb Williams and Kyle Shanahan in circle (Image via IMAGO)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Caleb Williams is slowly receiving recognition after a stellar second year with the Chicago Bears. Williams has thrown for 3400 yards and 26 total touchdowns in 15 games and came close to bagging a first Pro Bowl nod.

The Chicago Bears are safely through to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 after taking down a tricky Green Bay Packers team on home soil.

Williams went 19 for 34 in pass completion for 250 yards and threw 2 touchdowns while also covering 30 yards on the ground. It was the Bears’ 11th win of the season and their second successive win on the trot.

In week 17, the Bears travel to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara to face off against an 11-4 San Francisco 49ers team on a five-game win streak. Despite their impressive performance, the Niners are not taking the Bears lightly. The main reason behind their cautious approach is Caleb Williams.

Ahead of the Christmas Day NFL games across the nation, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan showered Williams with massive praise. According to Shanahan, the former Heisman winner is the most “athletic quarterback” he has seen “in terms of his height, weight, and speed.”

He [Caleb Williams] makes some big-time throws. Extremely scary on the perimeter. He can hold onto the ball for a while — not in a bad way, but by creating stuff — which makes coverages have to hold out forever.

Kyle Shanahan said via Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team

These two teams met in week 14 last season. It ended in a 38-13 victory for the Niners. Williams threw 17 completions for 134 yards, 2 touchdowns, zero interceptions, and took 7 sacks. His opposite number, Brock Purdy, threw for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Caleb Williams is proving the doubters wrong

Shanahan’s response comes after Williams spoke about all the negativity he experienced during his rookie year. He was thrown to the wolves after ending the campaign with just five wins. Aside from commenting on his personal habits, analysts and fans quickly branded him a draft bust.

49ers' Kyle Shanahan Claims Caleb Williams Is The "Most Athletic QB" He Has Ever Seen
Caleb Williams (Image via IMAGO)

I [was told] wasn’t the biggest, I wasn’t the strongest, I wasn’t the tallest, I wasn’t the fastest. I get drafted here, told that I’m not a special player, told that I’m not a good fit here, told that Coach and I won’t work, told I can’t win here.

Williams said earlier this week

2025 has been far from perfect. Six game-winning drives may look good on paper, but they only indicate that the Bears aren’t doing enough to distance themselves from their opponents.

In hindsight, it also shows that Williams has the clutch genes. Coaches can’t teach instinct; some players are born with it. Williams has proven that he can deliver in high-pressure situations, something his predecessors lacked.

I do take a little satisfaction in being able to help this team, help this organization, and be a part of getting to the playoffs. My goal isn’t just to get to the playoffs — my goal is to win and win big.

Williams said

Williams is .500 from 32 starts in his NFL career. He was drafted first overall in 2024 after three seasons of college football with Oklahoma and USC.

Also Read: