It’ll be a huge letdown if the long-awaited matchup between top two draft picks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels falls through, especially after CBS flexed Bears-Commanders into the late-afternoon window, because of Daniels’ rib injury.
While Commanders coach Dan Quinn hedged Monday by saying the team will be careful with Daniels but is “hopeful” he’ll play, NFL Network continued reporting Tuesday that his status is “in doubt.” Those mixed messages should untangle themselves once practice resumes Wednesday and the Commanders have to declare Daniels’ participation on their injury report.
Williams, meanwhile, is on a hot streak and will go into the game, which is in his hometown, fresh off a bye.
Here’s a look at how they and their fellow first-round picks are faring:
No. 1 overall pick: Bears QB Caleb Williams
The bye week gave Williams a chance to catch his breath after a roller-coaster start to his career. He posted a 65.3 passer rating over his first three games, then a 122.8 over the next three. Where he goes from here will determine whether the Bears make a playoff push.
No. 2 overall pick: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
Daniels is still atop the rookie leaderboard and has been not only the best passer but the best runner as well. He got hurt on a 46-yard run on the Commanders’ first play Sunday against the Panthers.
No. 3 overall pick: Patriots QB Drake Maye
Maye, who comes to Soldier Field in two weeks, got blown out by the Jaguars on Sunday, but played well: 26-of-37 passing, 276 yards, two touchdowns and a 109.7 passer rating.
No. 8 overall pick: Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.
Penix made his NFL debut Sunday, playing the final drive of the Falcons’ blowout loss to the Seahawks. His only pass was a 14-yard completion.
No. 12 overall pick: Broncos QB Bo Nix
Like Williams and Daniels, Nix currently has his team in the playoff field. Unlike them, he’s been unremarkable. In the Broncos’ win over the Saints, he completed 16 of 26 passes for 164 yards.