In an upcoming book written by Seth Wickersham, a major revelation is coming to light regarding last year's NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
Williams' father, Carl, reportedly called Chicago "the place where quarterbacks go to die". The USC star and former Heisman Trophy winner was eventually selected by the Bears first overall, but first, his family allegedly tried finagling a way for the Minnesota Vikings to draft him instead.
Cincinnati Bengals legend, and outspoken radio host Boomer Esiason ripped into Williams about this attitude leading up to the Draft.
“The level of entitlement is breathtaking,” Esiason said. “It’s no wonder why he failed initially and it’s no wonder why the coach got fired.”
Williams led Chicago to a rocky 5-12 season. He finished the season throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions on a 62.5 completion percentage.
Now that the Bears have hired the Detroit Lions' explosive offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach, Esiason's fiery rant put all the pressure on Williams to make do with his situation.
“So now they go out and get an offensive coach in Ben Johnson. So you know what? Now it’s on [Williams'] (expletive)," Esiason said. "It’s going to be on his (expletive) to live up to these so-called lofty expectations that he has for himself and that his father has for his son.
"I understand that there could be a discussion, ‘Hey this is where quarterbacks go to die.’ Well, go fix it. Be the reason that the team is going to turn it around and you be the player that you think you are."
Esiason, the NFL MVP in 1988, punctuated his tirade with a direct message to why Williams should be grateful for how quarterbacks are valued in today's game ... because it wasn't that case in the late '80s.
"You’re going into the greatest league that there’s ever been for the sport we all love. You’re going to have a chance one day to make $500 million because guys like me and guys before me all went on strike so you could actually make more money.
"So keep your piehole shut and go out and play football and earn your keep and earn your respect."
Williams' performance this season will be under a major microscope to not only see if he performs better, but if he shows a greater commitment to the organization that he once hoped to dodge on draft night.