Caleb Williams impresses the Rams’ Matthew Stafford, also a top pick

He was the first pick in the NFL draft, a quarterback considered a generational talent who was selected by an NFC North team after a losing season.

Caleb Williams?

No, Matthew Stafford.

In 2009, a few months after they finished 0-16, the Detroit Lions selected Stafford No. 1. It took Stafford a few seasons to find his footing. Now — more than 15 seasons later — he’s pushing to break into the top 10 in multiple passing categories.

Williams, the No. 1 pick this year, is three games into his first season with the Chicago Bears. He’s also a Stafford admirer, and on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago, Stafford and the Rams will try to prevent a breakthrough from the former USC star.

Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, passed for two touchdowns with four interceptions for a team that is 1-2 after a loss to the Indianapolis Colts. It may not be a spectacular start for the Williams, but the 36-year-old Stafford pointed out that the 22-year-old rookie is just getting started.

Caleb Williams points to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who holds up a Chicago Bears’ No. 1 Williams jersey after the USC product was selected first overall in the 2024 draft.

(Jeff Roberson/Associated Press)

“He’s obviously tremendously talented,” Stafford said. “He makes plays every week that you see on TV and that blow you away as a quarterback. I sit there and say, “Man, this is incredible stuff.” And then I’m sure there are pieces that he wants back, like we all do.

“So he seems like a smart boy. … I’m sure he’ll figure it out more and more as he continues to play, and I’m sure he’ll have a great career.”

Rams coach Sean McVay agrees.

“There was a reason why it was kind of assumed he was going to be the No. 1 overall pick, and I think that’s deserved and deserved,” McVay said. “Look at the tape, there’s a lot of really good things you saw.”

Williams first noticed Stafford as a byproduct of watching Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson’s highlights. Johnson’s ability to succeed despite triple coverage impressed him.

“I got a little older,” Williams told reporters in Chicago, “and I kind of realized how good Matthew Stafford is at his job.”

Williams noted how Stafford controls the game. Its efficiency. How he delivers passes from different angles. And his knowledge of opponents.

“He knows where defensive players are going to be,” Williams said. “So he can move them on a string.”

These traits helped Stafford surpass Eli Manning for 10th place in career yardage.

During his 16-year career with the New York Giants, Manning won two Super Bowls and rushed for 57,023 yards. Stafford, a Super Bowl champion, rushed for 56,801 yards. He needs 223 on Sunday to get past Manning.

“He’s been doing this for a while and when you watch someone like that have the success he’s had, you want to learn from it,” Williams said. “So it will be exciting to compete against him.”

Williams, who received a four-year, $39.5 million contract, works under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, a former McVay assistant.

In a season-opening 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans, Williams completed 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards. He was fired twice.

In a matchup against Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud – another Stafford fan – Williams was 23 for 37 for 174 yards, with two interceptions, in a 19-13 loss. He was fired seven times.

Last Sunday, Williams completed 33 of 52 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in the 21-16 loss to the Colts.

Stafford knows the ups and downs a No. 1 pick will experience in his first season. As a rookie, he started 10 games. The Lions won two and lost eight. He managed 13 touchdowns with 20 interceptions.

“It wasn’t all easy for me,” he said, “that’s for sure.”

Stafford said he leaned on teammates, coaches and family so he didn’t have to “take this on his shoulders” alone.

“There’s been some big ups and downs as far as my play, our team’s performance and all those things,” Stafford said. “But it’s a learning opportunity, a chance to figure out what you can and can’t do.”

Stafford said one of the reasons he plays is the respect of his teammates and opponents. That’s why he’s impressed by the admiration of younger quarterbacks like Stroud and Williams.

“It’s cool,” he said. “I feel old, but I’ll take it.”