In his book American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, ESPN journalist Seth Wickersham reveals that Caleb Williams and his family did everything they could to avoid him being drafted by the Bears.

It was a failed attempt, as the Illinois-based organization selected the quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2024 draft.

In the book, Carl Williams — Caleb’s father — explains that he feared Chicago wouldn’t be an ideal environment for his son. He also told several agents that he didn’t want his son to end up with the Bears.

“Chicago is where quarterbacks go to die,” he reportedly said.

The Williams camp even consulted lawyers to try to find a way around the NFL’s draft rules. Caleb considered joining the United Football League and entering the NFL in 2025 as a free agent.

Additionally, Carl Williams reached out to Archie Manning for advice. Archie’s son, Eli Manning, famously refused to play for the San Diego Chargers, who still drafted him in 2004.

He Wanted to Join a Rival

These revelations are likely to stir up strong reactions among Bears fans, but perhaps not as much as the claim that Williams actually wanted to be drafted by one of Chicago’s division rivals.

According to Wickersham, the 23-year-old quarterback told his father that he wanted to play for the Minnesota Vikings. This conclusion reportedly came after his meeting with head coach Kevin O’Connell at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Vikings and Bears are both in the NFC North division.

Williams also allegedly told people close to him that he wasn’t sure he could work with Shane Waldron, the former Bears offensive coordinator. Waldron was fired after nine games in 2024. Head coach Matt Eberflus was also let go a few weeks later.

The Bears Held Firm

Even though they were aware of Williams’ reluctance, the Bears had no intention of passing on him. General Manager Ryan Poles stated that the team would draft the USC Trojans product “no matter what.”

A phrase clearly borrowed from the movie Draft Day…

Before the draft, Williams reportedly considered publicly criticizing the Bears and the city of Chicago to pressure the organization. However, he changed his mind after visiting the team’s facilities. He told the ESPN journalist that he wasn’t ready “to drop an atomic bomb on the city.”

In his rookie season as the Bears’ starting quarterback, the team finished with a 5–12 record, ranking last in their division.

Williams played in all of the team’s games. He completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns, while throwing six interceptions.

The Bears recently hired Ben Johnson as head coach. Johnson was previously the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.

When asked about the situation, Johnson downplayed Williams’ previous comments.

“I don’t know what happened before he joined the organization, but he’s very proud to be a Bear,” Johnson said during an appearance on The Herd. “He’s really excited to get to work now and become the best version of himself for 2025.”