(670 The Score) Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and his father, Carl, researched options to prevent Chicago from selecting him at No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to excerpts from an upcoming book written by ESPN reporter Seth Wickersham.
Concerned by the Bears’ past failures to develop a quarterback and a poor fit with then-offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Williams and his father explored their options within the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement and even pondered having Williams enter the United Football League, according to the book.
"Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die," Carl Williams told Wickersham prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.
The book, “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” will be published in September. The book shares the stories of accomplished quarterbacks of the past and present as well as the journey of Williams, who's now 23, as he was drafted by the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in 2024.
Carl Williams explored numerous options with agents and lawyers, according to the book, as he worked to find his son a home outside of Chicago. He and Caleb were drawn to the prospect of Williams landing with the division rival Vikings and head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Williams met with O'Connell during the pre-draft process, and the Vikings were interested in selecting a quarterback.
“I need to go to the Vikings,” Williams told his father at one point.
The Vikings selected quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in 2024.
Williams’ view on the Bears was altered during a pre-draft visit at Halas Hall in April 2024, according to the book. Rather than viewing Chicago’s troubled quarterback history as a burden, he saw it as an opportunity.
"I can do it for this team," Williams said to his father. "I'm going to go to the Bears."
Bears general manager Ryan Poles stood firm throughout the process by telling the Williams family that the team was going to draft him. At one point, the Williams camp debated a tactic of attacking the Bears organization publicly to dissuade Chicago from selecting him, but Williams concluded that he "wasn't ready to nuke the city," Wickersham reported.
Williams’ rookie season was filled with challenges. He threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions, but the Bears went 5-12. Their season was derailed by a 10-game losing streak, during which Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus were fired.
Williams' concerns with Waldron proved to be true. The Bears' offense sputtered under Waldron's direction, and Williams was sometimes left to watch film alone, the book shared.
The Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach in January. They were drawn to him in large part because of their belief that he'll be a great match in working with Williams.
The Bears will begin OTAs next week at Halas Hall. Williams will be requested for comment from the media.