Caleb Williams’ camp delivered a precise statement to Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams’ request comes a day after radio talk show host Colin Cowherd said on Thursday Williams didn’t want to play for the Bears.
As discussed previously by Connor Downs with GH, Cowherd said Williams might want to go to the Washington Commanders.
“I do think it’s possible that Washington trades up and Chicago allows Washington to trade up. Because Caleb (Williams) and his group do not want to go to Chicago, he’s from the D.C. area. I think Dan Quinn is considered. The big concern for Caleb Williams, and you have to admit this, is where you land matters. Chicago has never developed a star quarterback.”
Williams must have taken issue with Cowherd’s speculations because, on Friday, the sports shock jock issued a correction, per Awful Announcing.
“So I got a call from the Caleb Williams camp and they went ‘whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa Colin. We don’t want to be painted as anti-Chicago and we don’t want to be painted as anti-Bear.’
And they made it clear to me that they said: ‘Listen, we don’t want to go to a city that doesn’t care. Chicago cares–they’re big, loud, they’re passionate. They fire coaches all the time. They care. We don’t want to go to some Sun Belt place where you tarp off the upper deck.’
And they did say there is a path to succeed in Chicago — it’s called the Houston Texans. Defensive coach. A couple of weapons. Cap space. Good pick. They’ve got a second pick. There’s a bunch of different receivers out there [Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze]. They can go get another weapon.”
So yes, Williams is okay with the Bears drafting him. Many in the media are focusing on that part of the story. However, Williams’ team sent a bold ask of the Bears in its discussion with Cowherd.
Williams is making it known he’s okay with Chicago drafting him if it plans to build around him. Williams’ camp even knows what it wants Poles to do with the number nine pick in the 2024 draft. He wants a wide receiver.
Williams can ask for the Bears to take a wide receiver with that pick, but once draft night happens, that’s out of his hands. Nabers or Odunze might be off the board by the time the Bears pick at nine.
Williams wouldn’t have much leverage once the Bears take him at No. 1. But would Williams be willing not to sign his rookie contract and force the Bears to trade him if Poles isn’t as aggressive in building the offense during the draft as he would like?
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