Caleb Williams' GQ profile should raise alarm for Cardinals as they tank in 2023

The Arizona Cardinals are bracing for a lowly 2023 season, maximizing their chances at landing Heisman Trophy-winning USC quarterback Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, in a profile in October's issue of GQ, Sam Schube spoke with Williams and his father, Carl, about his future in the NFL, and comments made by his dad might sound an alarm in Arizona.

"He got two shots at the apple, so if there's not a good situation, the truth is, he can come back to school," he said.

Williams' father mentioned that he "talked to Lincoln [Riley], and Kyler [Murray] struggled because of where he was drafted." 

Murray, of course, was drafted by Arizona No. 1 overall in 2019.

The Cardinals will be without Murray for at least the first four games of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last December. Following the preseason, Arizona released projected starting quarterback Colt McCoy and traded linebacker Isaiah Simmons and offensive lineman Josh Jones. In May, the Cardinals released All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

All of those moves point to Arizona being among the worst teams in the league in 2023, setting itself up well for the No. 1 overall pick.

It would be a major black eye for the Cardinals if they land the first pick and Williams returns to USC, but it's certainly possible.

As tough as that would be to swallow, it will be even more devastating if Williams reaches the lofty heights he's set for himself in the NFL.

Speaking with Schube, Williams laid out his future goal in football. 

"Eight Super Bowls," Williams said, one more than all-time great QB Tom Brady.

While the front office did a great job of gathering future draft capital during April's NFL Draft, the Cardinals are still far from being a functional organization.

Owner Michael Bidwill is embroiled in a controversy surrounding allegations of the team using burner phones to communicate with then-suspended general manager Steve Keim during a 2018 suspension for DUI.

Former team executive Terry McDonough levied the allegations in April, and leaked deposition from former head coach Steve Wilks confirmed McDonough's claims.

When initially reported, the Cardinals angrily shot back at McDonough in a statement that was more smear campaign than rebuttal.

Is that the kind of organization a player as talented as Williams should want to play for?

In the GQ article, his father also mentions talking with Archie Manning, father of Peyton and Eli Manning, about his own unfortunate career in New Orleans during a time when Saints fans wore paper bags over their heads at games because the franchise was so terrible.

His son, Eli, forced his way to the Giants during the 2004 NFL Draft after he refused to play for the Chargers, which had the No. 1 overall pick. 

Williams' father is cognizant of the reality that Williams won't land in a perfect situation. 

"The funky thing about the NFL Draft process is, he'd almost be better off not being drafted than being drafted first... The way the system is constructed, you go to the worst possible situation," he said.

If Williams doesn't end up in Arizona, that will make a bad situation even worse for the Cardinals.