The draft system in the NFL helps to ensure a fairly level playing field for all 32 teams. But for the most talented draft prospects, this often means a landing spot that is far-from ideal.
That was the calculation made by Caleb Williamsthe No. 1 overall pick at the 2024 NFL Draft. He knew that the Chicago Bears were very likely to select him with their pick and knew their checkered history with quarterbacks.
A new book entitled ‘American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback’ details conversations involving Williams ahead of the draft. Carl Williams, Caleb’s father, told author Seth Wickersham: “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die.”
“I don’t want my son playing for the Bears,” Williams reportedly said in conversations with agents ahead of the draft.
Caleb himself is also quoted as questioning the move, asking those close to him: “Do I want to go there? I don’t think I can do it with (then-offensive coordinator Shane) Waldron.”
The book reveals that the Williams family were so worried about the youngster’s prospects in Chicago that they considered trying to go against the principle of the draft. They reportedly consulted with lawyers to see if there was a way to skip the draft
The Williams family even thought about signing with the United Football League to avoid signing with the Bears out of the draft. They wondered whether a year in the UFL would allow Williams to then move to the NFL in 2025 as an unrestricted free agent, allowing him to pick the destination of his choosing.
But despite that rocky start, Williams managed to impress in a tumultuous season in Chicago. Now, the arrival of much-admired offensive coordinator Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions should allow him to kick on in his second season in the league.
“Being able to be in this position, being able to have a first year the way I did, ups and downs, and then to be able come in here, be as confident as I was last year or possibly even more and to be able to get here with the group that we have, I really can’t wait to get to work with these guys,” Williams said.
“Him pushing me is key,” Williams said of Johnson. “I know that, and he knows that. … I can’t wait and to be able to help me learn more about ball because he’s super smart, super sharp.”
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