NFL Execs Believe Caleb Williams Suffers From Undiagnosed Disorder

Caleb Williams has come under fire a lot this offseason. Most of it stems from how the 2024 season went down. Despite high expectations, the Chicago Bears collapsed to a 5-12 finish after a 3-2 start. Williams was highly inconsistent, taking 68 sacks and looking utterly lost at times. In the past week, a scathing report came out from Tyler Dunne of Go Long, suggesting Williams showcased immaturity and poor work ethic leading up to the 2024 draft. Things didn't get any better as rifts began developing between him and the former coaching staff.

Things got even stranger when the report delved more into Williams himself. Multiple personnel people believe the quarterback suffers from a significant disorder that has gone undiagnosed.

Multiple personnel men tell Go Long they saw evidence that Williams has dyslexia. The matter, however, was never a topic in draft meetings.

“Completely hidden,” adds one scout...

...Go Long asked one Bears source, who says he saw evidence of dyslexia, if there’s any chance Poles somehow missed it himself before the pick. Perhaps, it evaded his purview? This person immediately interrupted me to say such a scenario is “impossible.” A word he repeats six times because, he notes, the GM has access to everything. “It’s not even feasible to imagine a general manager not having access to every single player’s medical,” he adds.

This would be problematic for an NFL quarterback.

Dyslexia is a neurological condition in which people struggle with word reading and spelling, leading to low phonological awareness, verbal memory, and processing speed. Name a position in professional sports that does more reading and digesting of information than a quarterback. You see the problem. It would explain why Williams often isn't seen taking notes or reading his playbook. He struggles with it.

Does this mean Caleb Williams is a lost cause?

Not at all. Dyslexia is not a death sentence for an NFL player. Green Bay Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary suffers from it. So did legendary running back Frank Gore. Mark Schlereth, who was a three-time Super Bowl champion guard, did too. Caleb Williams is hardly incapable of overcoming this issue. There are several ways for people with dyslexia to do so. A great way to do this is through visual learning with diagrams and demonstrations while practicing simplified communication with clear, broken-down instructions. Head coach Ben Johnson has no issues with such an approach. He's been on top of Williams every step of the way, constantly making corrections when mistakes are made.

If this disorder is real, it doesn't change anything. Williams is still an uber-talented player who can reach the highest levels. The only changes will be how the Bears instruct him.