Bears Insider Reveals Truth On If Caleb Williams Is Trying To Avoid Chicago

The rumor surfaced in December when it became clear the Chicago Bears were a heavy favorite to secure the #1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Nuggets popped up that USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the presumptive favorite to be that first pick, might consider returning to school or even pulling an Elway by stating he wouldn't play for Chicago if they drafted him. Colin Cowherd recently fanned those flames, stating his belief there are concerns in the Williams camp about the Bears' long history of struggling to develop quarterbacks.

This has led to speculation that Chicago may trade the pick to a team the quarterback wants to play for, such as his hometown Washington Commanders. Adam Hoge of CHGO decided to get to the bottom of this issue. He spoke to several people in Williams' orbit, including his coaches. He came away with some interesting details. The long and short of it is that while the quarterback and his family are meticulous in evaluating his eventual landing spots, there is no reason to think he will avoid playing for the Bears.

He's not afraid of a challenge.

Even before Cowherd’s comments, two of Williams’ former coaches expressed skepticism the quarterback would ever refuse to go to Chicago. But both pointed to Williams’ high school, college and transfer recruitments as evidence that his family — and, in particular, his father — would be meticulous in making sure Williams would be set up for success in the NFL.

“His family is always looking for the best situation possible to put his talents on display,” one of the coaches said, adding that the Bears’ lack of historical success at the quarterback position, “might be an issue.”...

...Still, those who have coached Caleb Williams do not believe he would outright refuse to join the Bears if they choose him No. 1 overall. By all accounts, he is a team player and being the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft has been a goal for the family for a long time.

Caleb Williams isn't coming into a typical Bears situation.

Go back and look at previous times when the organization drafted a quarterback in the 1st round. The offense was in rough shape in each of those instances. Justin Fields was stuck behind a rough offensive line. Mitch Trubisky had no receivers. This time around is different. Chicago has good pieces along the offensive line, led by young tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright. D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet form a strong tandem in the passing game, and Khalil Herbert remains a capable running back.

It is a safe assumption that the Bears will add even more pieces to that unit before the off-season ends. As situations go, Caleb Williams could be walking into ones far worse. There is also the allure of playing in a huge market like Chicago. The business opportunities would be staggering if he managed to play well. Eventual greats like Walter Payton, Michael Jordan, Dick Butkus, Frank Thomas, and others all turned their stardom into lucrative business ventures. Try to imagine what would happen if Williams became the first truly good Bears quarterback in decades. The money would be bananas.