Caleb Williams played exceptionally against the Atlanta Falcons in his first game back from a hamstring injury that he sustained in Week 2.
The Chicago Bears' quarterback completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown -- a 14-yard completion to tight end Colston Loveland on the team's opening drive of the game.
Williams completed his first 12 passes, setting a new career high for himself, in the 31-23 Week 6 road win. For someone who missed nearly a month, Williams played on time, operated head coach Ben Johnson's offense and got his playmakers involved, connecting with eight pass catchers in the game.
The Bears started the game with back-to-back touchdown drives, which pressured Atlanta to keep up offensively, and that ended up limiting star running back Bijan Robinson's usage in the game.
Outside of three empty drives in the fourth quarter, including a fumble from running back Roschon Johnson, the team had a successful day on offense.
That's what most people would think. As with most things with Williams, people find something criticize. Even though Williams completed a career-high 83.3% of his passes, he finished with a 3.3 average depth of target (ADOT).
Through the first six weeks this season, excluding the Monday night game between the 49ers and Commanders, that ranks 186th out of 187 individual QB performances with at least 10 pass attempts, according to Adam Patrick.
Here's a look at Williams' passing chart to illustrate his game against the Falcons.
Caleb Williams was a perfect 24/24 for 248 yards from a clean pocket in the Bears' Week 6 win over the Falcons.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 18, 2026
His 24 attempts are the most without an incompletion from a clean pocket in a game since at least 2018.
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As you can see, only six of Williams' 36 passes went above 10 yards downfield.
People on social media have claimed Williams is someone who just hits his checkdown on his first read or doesn't look downfield to make plays. Both statements couldn't be further from the truth.
This chart completely shuts down the the notion that Williams throws just to his first read.
How often QBs throw to their first read and their EPA on those throws pic.twitter.com/4qwtmUFhlm
— Jrfortgang (@throwthedamball) October 20, 2026
Williams is in his own category, and still has the sixth-highest EPA throwing to his first read when he does have that open.
Here's what actually matters, though.
The Bears went in with a game plan to get the ball out of Williams' hands quickly, and for good reason. Going into the Week 6 matchup, the Falcons had the fifth-most quarterback pressures (56).
Head coach Ben Johnson wasn't going to put his quarterback, who was coming off a hamstring injury, in a bad position against an aggressive defense. Williams executed the Bears' gameplan and helped his team improve to 4-2 on the season.
Williams believes he can carry some key attributes from his performance against the Falcons with him for the rest of the season.
"Something that I've been just preaching over and over again throughout my years with Ben so far – or year and a half with Ben – giving the guys a shot, runners ball, good footwork, and getting the ball out my hands." Williams said.
Maybe Williams has another outing like he did in Week 6, taking what the defense gives him and that results in a low ADOT.
You know what, so be it. Williams has proven that he will throw the ball downfield. Last season, Williams averaged 4.7 pass attempts of 20+ air yards per game, ranking second only behind the Rams' Matthew Stafford (5.2).
Johnson will create a game plans that are best for his quarterback against whatever opponent is next on the schedule. That's what a good coach should do, and it's clear Johnson has complete confidence in Williams executing that plan.