A new book claims Caleb Williams took active measures to avoid landing with the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft. The revelation look to be the most damning news to come out on the subject in since it happened. In the end, the Bears won him over.
The book’s author, ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, relayed direct quotes from Williams’ father, Carl, about the matter that the outlet later published.
The comments are even more ominous, given how the season went for Williams and the Bears.
Caleb Williams Eyed Rival, Planned to Avoid Bears in 2024 Draft
Bears Reputation Preceded Them With Caleb Williams
“Williams was so concerned about being picked by the Chicago Bears in 2024 that he and his family weighed blowing up the entire NFL draft, consulting with lawyers to figure out a way around the league’s collective bargaining agreement while considering signing with the United Football League, details from a forthcoming book reveal,” ESPN wrote on May 15.
“Carl Williams went to great lengths to try to circumvent the NFL draft, Wickersham writes, wanting to give his son an opportunity to choose his future employer. The Bears had not drafted a star quarterback since the 1980s, and their recent draft selections, Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields, didn’t pan out. Carl Williams was worried that, with the franchise’s history, stadium uncertainty and offensive performances under then-head coach Matt Eberflus, Caleb Williams wouldn’t have the organizational support to succeed.”
Williams and the Bears went 5-12 in 2024. The franchise fired Eberflus (and others) during the season, marking its first time making such a move.
Williams absorbed 68 sacks behind a porous offensive line in an uninspiring offense.
The Bears’ defense falling off a cliff only exacerbated matters, putting more pressure on the rookie, who also guided the team to would-be game-winning drives on multiple occasions, only for another phase to let the team down.
Per Wickersham and ESPN, the elder Williams said the Bears were “where quarterbacks go to die.”
Williams “wondered aloud to confidants” about whether or not the fit was suitable.
Moreover, Wickersham reveals that Carl Williams sought counsel from Archie Manning, the father of Peyton and Eli Manning. The eldest Manning went through his own ordeals with the New Orleans Saints in the 1970s. The elder Manning helped guide his son Eli from the Los Angeles Chargers to the New York Giants in 2004.
Caleb Williams Wanted Vikings Amid Ryan Poles’ Bold Move
Caleb Williams wanted to land with the Minnesota Vikings, and his father was ready to help him do so. Bears general manager Ryan Poles told Williams he was drafting him “no matter what.”
The only option was to emulate John Elway’s path of deriding the Bears and Chicago.
Williams, fortunately for the Bears, was not ready to go to those lengths. After visiting the facilities and personnel, was convinced he “can do it for this team.” Wickersham’s books also touched on the tumultuousness of Williams’ rookie season inside the building.
Poles admitted the Bears skipped some steps with Williams’ rookie season. For both sides’ sake, the 2025 campaign – complete with a new head coach in Ben Johnson– must go far better.