As the Chicago Bears officially report for OTAs, fans and analysts are buzzing about the team’s potential this year. However, lingering questions remain following a recent revelation about rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
In Seth Wickersham’s book American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, it was disclosed that Williams initially hoped to join the Minnesota Vikings and was intent on avoiding a selection by the Bears.
This surprising backstory has sparked widespread discussion throughout the offseason.
Breaking his silence, Williams spoke candidly about the controversy.
“This whole storm that happened, it wasn’t something that we wanted to happen at this point. We’re focused on the present, we’re focused on the now,” Williams said. “After I came on my (pre-draft) visit here, it was a deliberate answer and deliberate and determined answer that I wanted to come here.”
Notably, Williams acknowledged that the Vikings are a very attractive organization.
“Yeah, I had a good visit at the other place, Minnesota, with (Vikings Head Coach) Kevin O’Connell, a good staff and all of that,” Williams said. “Obviously, he just won the coach of the year award and things like that, so, obviously, a good staff and things like that.
“But, something that keeps getting lost, something that keeps getting, I think, not being addressed the way it needs to be, is the fact that I went on that visit first, then came here, and then after I came here, I went back home, talked to my dad, and all of the things that were supposed to be these big things that everybody’s been talking about recently – one, never happened, in the sense of they were all thoughts, they were all ideas.
“I think if you’re in the situation, I think if your son or daughter, anybody, is in the situation to be in that position, I think you think about all of the options. You look at it, the history and the facts and all these different things, and those are thoughts that go throughout your head in those situations. All of those are thoughts.
Williams tried to make it clear that Chicago is exactly where he wants to be and that he’s embracing the challenge of trying to take the prestigious Bears back to the elite class of the NFL.
“It’s a challenge to be able to come in here and try and turn it around,” Williams said. “That was the main goal of all of that. Through all of what was going on, through all of what happened last year and previous years, I think that was enticing.
“I think that was something that was glaring to me, that I want to come here and be the guy and be a part and be a reason why the Chicago Bears turned this thing around.”
Wickersham’s book detailed concerns from Williams’ father, who was uneasy about his son being drafted by Chicago.
With former head coach Matt Eberflus leading a team that had struggled to develop quarterbacks in recent years, the elder Williams sought alternatives to ensure Caleb’s best interests.
Caleb himself reportedly had doubts as well. At one point, he questioned, “Do I want to go there? I don’t think I can do it with [former Bears offensive coordinator Shane] Waldron.”
Those hesitations reflected in Williams’ rookie campaign under the now-former coaching staff of Waldron and Eberflus. Both coaches have since left the organization, fueling hopes that the Bears’ new coaching regime will better support Williams’ development and unlock his full potential moving forward.
What are your thoughts on the whole “Caleb never wanted Chicago” debate???
