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Carl Williams, the father of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, didn't want his son to end up in Chicago.
Read more: Caleb Williams Wanted to Avoid Bears in NFL Draft, Considered Joining UFL
Carl Williams told Seth Wickersham, the author of "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," in the months leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft that "Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die."
"I don't want my son playing for the Bears," Williams said to several agents in 2024, according to the book.
Caleb Williams was the undisputed No. 1 prospect coming out of the University of Southern California. Whether he liked it or not, the Bears would have the opportunity to select him. The Williams family consulted with lawyers ahead of the draft, looking for a way around the collective bargaining agreement. They even considered having Williams play in the United Football League.
"The rookie cap is just unconstitutional," Carl Williams told Wickersham, calling the CBA the "worst piece of s--- I've ever read. It's the worst in sports history."
Williams, of course, ended up getting selected with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Bears.
However, he, like his dad, wasn't so sure about landing in Chicago.
"Do I want to go there?," Williams wondered aloud to the people close to him. "I don't think I can do it with [former Bears offensive coordinator Shane] Waldron."
At the NFL Combine, Williams met with the Minnesota Vikings, where he fell in love with the idea of playing under head coach Kevin O'Connell.
"I need to go to the Vikings," Williams said to his father, who responded, "Let's do it."
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The Williams' knew it would be almost impossible for the Bears to trade the pick, let alone to a divisional rival. Bears' general manager even told Williams, "We're drafting you no matter what."
So, Caleb Williams began to work with the idea that he could play for the Bears. After a pre-draft visit, he got all the clarity he needed.
"I can do it for this team," Caleb Williams told his dad. "I'm going to go to the Bears."
Williams' first season under former head coach Matt Eberflus and former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was tumultuous to say the least.
The Bears went 5-12, and Williams was by far the most sacked quarterback in the league, as he was sacked 68 times. Second on the list was Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was sacked 52 times.
As for his coaches, Williams said he would watch film alone without any guidance or instruction.
"No one tells me what to watch," Caleb Williams would tell his dad. "I just turn it on."
In his rookie year, Williams completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,541 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. He finished 10th in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, while the player who was picked right behind him in Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, ran away with the award.
This offseason, the Bears hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the head coach. Declan Doyle, the former Denver Broncos tight end coach, is the new offensive coordinator.
For more NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
About the writer
Noah Camras is a Newsweek contributor based in Los Angeles. His focus is on sports content. Noah has been with Newsweek since March ... Read more