The 2024 NFL Draft class was supposed to reset two struggling franchises. Caleb Williams went first overall to Chicago. Jayden Daniels followed at No. 2 to Washington. One year later, the stakes feel bigger than wins and losses.
Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels Shared a Hug After MNF Showdown (Screenshot Via X/@NFL)
Monday night’s one-point thriller ended with the Bears on top after Jake Moody’s late field goal. But the real story happened after the clock hit zero.
Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels Shared a Hug After MNF Showdown
The quarterbacks met at midfield after the final whistle. What should’ve been a quick handshake turned into something else entirely. The embrace lasted longer than usual. Both players held on tight.
Cameras zoomed in on their faces. Body language experts on X had a field day. Williamsappeared to say something as they pulled apart. Daniels nodded and patted him on the shoulder.
More battles to come between these two 🤝 pic.twitter.com/9GiIXoXf9r
— NFL (@NFL) October 14, 2025
The interaction looked friendly on the surface. But context matters here. Williams just improved to 2-0 against Daniels in head-to-head matchups. Both comebacks happened in the fourth quarter with everything on the line.
Last season’s meeting ended with a 52-yard Hail Mary that crushed Chicago. Williams had to watch Daniels celebrate on his home field. That moment still stings in Chicago.
This time the script flipped. Daniels fumbled a late handoff that gave Williams one last chance. The Bears drove down the field and kicked the game-winner. Now Williams owns the revenge moment.
The hug felt different because of everything behind it. These aren’t just two young quarterbacks being respectful. They’re building something that goes beyond pleasantries. The tension is real even if they won’t admit it publicly.
NFL Fans Can’t Decide If This Rivalry’s All Love or Straight-Up Beef
The reactions split down the middle fast. One fanwrote, “The Hug Was PR.”
Anotheradded, “Let’s be real Caleb straight up 2-0 against dude leading 2 fourth quarter comebacks on his head.”
A thirdnoted, “They’re building a rivalry that’s starting to feel bigger than the scoreboard.” The Brady-Manning comparisons started immediately.
A fourth fanclaimed, “Brady n Manning part 2 there draft class will be special.”
Not everyone bought into the hostility narrative. Some pointed out that both players showed genuine respect despite the competitive fire. The embrace lasted longer than most postgame handshakes between opposing quarterbacks.
Context matters here. Daniels led his team to a Conference Championship as a rookie. Williams finished 5-12 with Chicago dead last in the NFC North. The pressure on both is massive but for different reasons.
Daniels caught heat during the game for his sideline behavior. Williams had to watch helplessly last season as his opponent launched that Hail Mary. Now he owns the head-to-head record.
The 2024 draft class keeps delivering storylines. These two face off twice a year in the same division. Every meeting adds another layer. Fans are already circling the next matchup on their calendars.
Whether this turns into the next great quarterback rivalry or fizzles depends on sustained success. Right now, it’s must-watch television every time they share the field.