Kyler Murray vs. Caleb Williams: Heisman Clash Deflated for Now

The Chicago Bears established a substantial gap as spreads for Week 2 became available, amid news that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to miss Sunday's game while going through the NFL's mandatory concussion protocol.

Murray went down with a concussion in the first quarter while trailing the Green Bay Packers in Minneapolis during the season opener last Sunday. Veteran backup Carson Wentz entered the game to replace Murray and appeared poised to serve as much more than a backup this season.

This is a twist of events, especially for college football aficionados and Oklahoma Sooners fans. Murray can still do no wrong in the Sooner State, and after three years of stardom, he became a first round pick of the Oakland Athletics as a potential five tool baseball prospect. Most notably, after officially choosing football as his career pursuit, was his 2018 Heisman Trophy and subsequent selection as the first overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft.

OU's Favorite Son

In essence, Murray probably secured the privilege of never having to pay for a meal in Norman for the rest of his life, even though the contract extension he signed with Arizona effectively guaranteed that he could easily pick up any tab, at any table virtually anywhere.

It isn't just in Oklahoma and the American Southwest that people had become Kyler Murray crazy. At just 5 feet 10 inches, he had become a flagship of hope for the working class. The little guy who was dominating the big man's game.

Until, of course, he wasn't.

The Murray years came to an end in Arizona as he hoped to find new life in Minnesota, with Arizona picking up most of the tab for 2026.

Facing the Vikings this week is one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL, led by one of the league's emerging quarterbacks. The Chicago Bears continue to soar up most major outlets' power rankings.

Caleb Williams has found his place in Chicago and is quickly becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. He was initially an Oklahoma recruit and arrived in Norman in 2021, several years after Murray's departure. The two even conversed and shared stories on the sidelines at major televised games.

To say they are buddies might be a stretch, but Williams put up dominant passing numbers when he entered the fold as Oklahoma's starter after replacing Spencer Rattler against Texas. Williams led the Sooners to a triumphant victory over the Longhorns and continued putting up big numbers after that. In 2021, he threw for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns in only 11 games for Oklahoma.

Williams' Legacy Solidified at USC

In what has become commonplace with top college quarterbacks nowadays, Williams entered the transfer portal for USC, perhaps to create his very own legacy rather than continue drawing comparisons to Murray's accomplishments just three years earlier.

Norman undoubtedly still welcomes Williams, but perhaps not quite as warmly as it does Murray.

This week might have been circled by the prolific Bears passer, as an opportunity to put the comparison to rest for good.

Heisman versus Heisman.

Oklahoma OG versus OG.

For week 2, it looks like it's not meant to be.

Murray's Vikings debut lasted only a handful of plays before the concussion ended his afternoon. He threw an interception on his first pass attempt and finished with just five passing attempts before leaving the game. Wentz stepped in and threw three touchdown passes as Minnesota rallied to defeat Green Bay 39 to 22.

Bears/Williams Look To Feast On Viking Defense

Williams, meanwhile, enters the matchup after an explosive opening week. The Bears scored 59 points against Carolina, their highest single game total since 1980, while Williams became the first player in franchise history to record at least 200 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 50 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the same game.

So, for now, the Heisman reunion will have to wait.

Look for Williams to feast on the Vikings defense.

At 5.5 points, the Bears are being given a significant advantage by the betting market. Whether Chicago covers remains to be seen, but this one certainly feels like a matchup that could get away from Minnesota quickly.

The Oklahoma OG showdown has been deflated for now.