A bombshell report on ESPN last week had the football universe buzzing when it unveiled that Caleb Williams tried to finesse the NFL draft to avoid being selected by the Chicago Bears in 2024.
According to the report, Williams and his family actively sought ways to circumvent the draft process, consulting lawyers to understand loopholes in the collective bargaining agreement — including potentially playing for the United Football League after a successful college football career.
Both Williams and his father were quoted directly in the story, with the former USC quarterback noting that he questioned whether he really wanted to go to Chicago, unsure of how his skill set would fit with then-Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
“I don’t want my son playing for the Bears,” Williams’ father told several agents ahead of the 2024 draft.
Williams’ father even consulted Archie Manning, who famously manipulated the 2004 NFL Draft to get his son Eli to the New York Giants instead of the San Diego Chargers.
With voluntary organized team activities underway in the Windy City, Williams — who showed promise during his rookie season in Chicago — was left alone to face the media, who had plenty of fair questions about his commitment to the Bears.
“We’re focused on the present,” Williams said. “We’re focused on the now. For this to come out, it’s been a distraction.”
A distraction? You think? It’s one thing for his dad to speak to the media about their skepticism over landing in Chicago. It’s another to be quoted directly in the report.
Williams opened his media availability with a statement that was candid — and all over the place. He took accountability for the story. He admitted by name that he had a good visit with the Minnesota Vikings, who ultimately drafted J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall selection, and that he wanted to play for Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell.
He also elaborated on the fact that after a successful pre-draft visit with the Bears, he went home and spoke with his father about the “thoughts” and “ideas” they were working on to manipulate the draft.
“It was a deliberate and determined answer that I had, as that I wanted to come here,” Williams said.
During his rookie season, Williams completed 62.5% of his passes for 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions. In this press conference to start his second professional season, he noted that his family is well aware of the fact that Chicago has been a place where quarterbacks have historically struggled — never having had a 4,000-yard passer in franchise history.
Unfortunately for Williams, the toothpaste is out of the tube — and you can’t put it back in. Unless he continues to ball out on his rookie deal and signs a mega extension with Chicago, there will always be muted rumblings about his commitment to the Bears.
To Chicago’s credit, the organization has done nothing but take strides to turn things around offensively since Williams arrived. The Bears drafted Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III as explosive playmakers for their prized passer. They solidified the offensive line by adding Super Bowl champion Joe Thuney. They fired the disaster-class head coach that was Matt Eberflus and brought in hotshot offensive mind Ben Johnson, who revived Jared Goff’s career in Detroit.
The Bears and Williams could still work out long term. But there needs to be success on the field. And when that success comes, there needs to be a significant contract extension to make sure a generational quarterback prospect like Williams stays in Chicago.
