Drake Maye And Caleb Williams Meet Again With One Remarkable Patriots Memory originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The last time Drake Maye and Caleb Williams met in an NFL game, the New England Patriots turned the afternoon into a nightmare for Chicago's offensive line. Nearly two years later, the quarterbacks are preparing for another meeting at Soldier Field.
New England visits the Chicago Bears on Thursday, October 22, at 8:15 p.m. ET, with both teams entering the nationally televised matchup at 4-2. The circumstances are considerably different from their first meeting in November 2024, but one statistic from that afternoon remains difficult to forget.
The Patriots sacked Williams nine times.
A Rookie Quarterback Matchup Became A Defensive Showcase
Maye and Williams entered the NFL together as two of the most highly regarded quarterbacks in the 2024 draft. Chicago selected Williams first overall, while New England chose Maye with the third pick. Their first regular-season meeting came November 10, 2024, when the Patriots traveled to Chicago and earned a 19-3 win.
Two 4-2 teams. One Thursday night in Chicago. #TNFonPrime Watch Patriots vs. Bears on @PrimeVideo | Thursday at 7pm ET https://t.co/UewmQj91Vp
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 20, 2026
Maye completed 15 of 25 passes for 184 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Williams finished 16-of-30 for 120 passing yards as New England's defense dominated the afternoon. The Bears managed only 142 total yards and converted just one of their 14 third-down opportunities.
Deatrich Wise Jr. and Anfernee Jennings each recorded two sacks as the Patriots repeatedly disrupted Chicago's offense.
The nine sacks became the defining statistic of the game.
Thursday Brings A Very Different Challenge
The quarterbacks return to Soldier Field with significantly more NFL experience and greater expectations. New England has won three consecutive games after starting the season 1-2. Maye threw three touchdown passes in Sunday's 26-19 victory over the New York Jets, helping the Patriots improve to 4-2.
Chicago also enters Thursday at 4-2 after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 31-23. Williams returned from a hamstring injury in that victory and threw for 305 yards, providing an encouraging sign ahead of another nationally televised matchup. The Bears also have a different offensive identity under head coach Ben Johnson than they did during their 2024 meeting with New England.
That makes Thursday more than a replay of what happened two years ago. Both teams have developed, both quarterbacks have gained experience, and both clubs are trying to establish themselves as legitimate playoff contenders.
MORE: Former Five-Time Pro Bowler Calls Patriots' Drake Maye a 'Fluke'
The Patriots Have An Opportunity To Make Another Statement
New England's defense would undoubtedly welcome another performance resembling its nine-sack afternoon in 2024. But the Patriots should not expect Williams and Chicago's offense to present the same opportunities.
The Bears are more experienced, and Williams has demonstrated the ability to extend plays and create offense when protection breaks down.
For Maye, the matchup provides another chance to show how much he has developed since his rookie season. For Williams, it offers a chance to replace one of the more difficult memories of his first NFL campaign.
The Patriots won the first meeting between the quarterbacks. Thursday will reveal how much the rivalry has changed.