The duo even considered avoiding the NFL draft entirely
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NEED TO KNOW
- Quarterback Caleb Williams and his dad were so determined to avoid being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2024 that they thought about signing with the United Football League and asked legal experts about avoiding the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, according to a new book
- In “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” Seth Wickersham also reports that the father and son even considered avoiding the draft entirely
- Caleb’s mindset shifted after a visit to the Bears facility ahead of the draft
Quarterback Caleb Williams and his father Carl were so determined to avoid him being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2024 that the duo looked into drastic alternatives, according to a forthcoming book.
According to “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” by ESPN reporter Seth Wickersham, Carl Williams was so concerned about his son playing for the Bears that he and Caleb thought about signing with the United Football League instead of the NFL, asked legal experts about avoiding the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement and even considered avoiding the draft entirely.
The father and son also considered publicly bashing both the team and Chicago overall, according to ESPN.
“Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” Carl reportedly said, telling agents, “I don’t want my son playing for the Bears.”
23-year-old Caleb also expressed doubts about then-offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. He met with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the combine, and started strategizing how to get to Minnesota instead.
“I need to go to the Vikings,” Caleb reportedly told his dad, who said “Let’s do it.” They both knew, though, that it would be nearly impossible to convince the Bears to trade him to the rival Vikings.
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“We’re drafting you no matter what,” Ryan Poles, general manager for the Bears, said to Williams, according to the Associated Press.
After visiting the Bears facility ahead of the draft, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner who played for USC became convinced he could contribute to a team comeback.
“I can do it for this team,” Caleb said to his father, according to ESPN. “I’m going to go to the Bears.”
The Bears ultimately finished the 2024 season 5-12 and did not qualify for the playoffs.
