Caleb Williams has already been through the No. 1 vs. No. 2 NFL draft quarterback matchup. That happened two weeks back in Washington, when the Bears quarterback and top pick played Jayden Daniels.

Now we’ve got No. 1 vs. No. 3 on Sunday when the Patriots come to Solider Field.

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This won’t be the first time Williams and Maye have met. Not even close.

They go way back.

Williams and Maye have been groomed for NFL moments from an early age, going way back to youth camps and prep showcases. Williams was from Maryland and Maye a bit farther south in North Carolina, but they kept running into each other at big events.

“I’ve actually known Drake for a while,” Williams said. “He’s an Elite 11 guy and in the same class as me since then. Yeah, I’ve known him for a while. Good guy, country dude and a competitor.”

Maye certainly is that. So is Williams. That’s what’ll make this matchup fun, even though, as a reminder, the quarterbacks don’t actually play each other.

There is something that flares up in athletes when facing someone others perceive as just a little bit better.

That makes Williams, as the No. 1 selection, a target.

ESPN reported that Daniels was motivated to play the Bears despite a ribs injury because he understood the magnitude of the matchup.

Maye just came out and said it himself during his Wednesday press conference. After, of course, praising someone he knows well.  

“Really, with Caleb, I’ve seen him since high school,” Maye said, via NFL.com. “We’d go to the same camps. We were at the Elite 11 (camp) with each other. We got some college visits together. So, the whole thing, going through the process again. We kept up with each other in college. We were friends, and I enjoyed watching him do his thing. Now I get a chance to compete. So, anytime you’re going against a rookie quarterback in the same class, or any quarterback in your class in general, it’s a little extra.

“I’m looking forward to going out there and getting a chance to play the Bears.”

The Bears enter this game needing to end a two-game losing streak and stay in playoff contention. The Patriots have just two wins all year and are fresh off a result where Maye played well but couldn’t prevent an overtime loss to Tennessee.

Maye has shown flashes since taking over as the starter in Week 6 despite having a subpar supporting cast.

He has enough talent to cause headaches for the Bears. Williams knows that from watching him work.

“I think his game is exactly what y’all saw in college,” Williams said. “I think he’s explosive, I think he’s accurate, I think he’s a tall, strong figure back there in the pocket. I think he makes plays for his team.”

Maye can run and create plays inside and outside the pocket. He’ll also stand tall and deliver a pass when a hard hit’s coming.

Bears fans know full well that Williams is capable of the spectacular, with mobility and arm talent and an ability to complete improbable passes. He’s not in a slump by any stretch but has played better and shown greater sync with his receivers than in recent weeks.

While both Williams and Maye have had rookie moments and this matchup isn’t as enticing nationally as Williams vs. Daniels, there’s a possibility Sunday’s game could showcase some quality quarterback play.