Here’s the thing about rumors. Certain people will do everything in their power to dismiss they have any validity. Sometimes it’s because the rumors aren’t true. However, it is just as often because they are. Last year, there were reports leading up to the draft that USC quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t want to go to the Chicago Bears. He knew their reputation for terrible quarterback play going back decades, often brought about by poor roster-building and bad coaching. Williams’ camp dismissed such ideas at the time.
In truth, they were 100% spot on. Seth Wickersham of ESPN revealed details from his new book, American Kings, which covers the life of NFL quarterbacks. He had some damning notes about the Williams situation last year. Caleb’s father, Carl Williams, worked desperately to circumvent the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement to keep his son away from Chicago. In fact, they had an alternate destination in mind, which they tried to push the Bears to agree to in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Unsurprisingly, the team refused.
After an up-and-down final season at USC, Caleb Williams was unsure of what he wanted to do as he prepared for the 2024 draft. At the NFL combine that year, he met with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. The two hit it off, and Caleb Williams began to dream of what it would be like to play for Minnesota.
“I need to go to the Vikings,” he told his father.
“Let’s do it,” his father replied. But both Caleb and Carl knew that a trade to a divisional rival was extremely unlikely.
Bears GM Ryan Poles stood firm, telling Williams, “We’re drafting you no matter what.”
Caleb Williams eventually took up the challenge.
His desire to go to Minnesota isn’t surprising. Kevin O’Connell is one of the best head coaches in the league and a highly respected offensive mind. The Vikings play indoors and employ two excellent wide receivers. It is a sweet setup for any young quarterback. The problem is the league doesn’t work that way. Bad teams can never become good if college players can simply pick whichever team they want to go to. Ryan Poles knew Caleb Williams was hesitant about he idea. The Bears GM isn’t naive. He aimed to sell the quarterback on his vision for turning the organization around. It appears he succeeded.
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Last year was rough. Williams’ fears about the coaching staff proved well-founded. He took a hellacious beating as a result. Still, the Bears have spent countless resources to improve the situation around him this year, including the arrival of Ben Johnson, one of the best offensive minds in the league. Yes, the Bears’ reputation is well-earned. That doesn’t mean they aren’t committed to changing.