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Former MVP Quarterback Rips 'Entitled' Caleb Williams

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 16, 2025 3:03 PM ET

A bombshell report dropped this week detailing how Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams attempted to avoid being drafted by the Chicago Bears prior to last year's draft. For one former NFL MVP, the report exposed how "entitled" the former Heisman Trophy winner is.

On Friday's edition of his Boomer & Gio radio show, former NFL MVP and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason reflected on what he learned about Williams from the report. He levied a slew of insults at Williams before declaring that he needs to "keep your piehole shut."

“The level of entitlement is breathtaking,” Esiason said. “It’s no wonder why he failed initially and it’s no wonder why the coach got fired.”

“So now they go out and get an offensive coach in Ben Johnson. So you know what? Now it’s on his ass. It’s going to be on his ass to live up to these so-called lofty expectations that he has for himself and that his father has for his son. I understand that there could be a discussion, ‘Hey this is where quarterbacks go to die.’ Well, go fix it. Be the reason that the team is going to turn it around and you be the player that you think you are.

“Keep your mouth shut. You’re going into the greatest league that there’s ever been for the sport we all love. You’re going to have a chance one day to make $500 million because guys like me and guys before me all went on strike so you could actually make more money. So keep your piehole shut and go out and play football and earn your keep and earn your respect."

Boomer went off on Caleb Williams amid reports that he wanted to avoid the Bears to the point where he and his family looked to sidestep the CBA pic.twitter.com/Tk6N1zQXSa
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) May 16, 2025

But fans weren't so quickly to share in Esiason's feeling. Some pointed out that similar things should have been said when John Elway and Eli Manning similarly forced their way out of situations they didn't want to play for certain teams:

"He didn't feel this way when Elway didn't want to go to the Colts," one user replied.

"Did you say the same when Eli and his Dad did it?" asked another.

"Caleb handled it fine and changed his tune that he wanted to be the Bears QB. Look at Zach Wilson/Ridder/Trubisky/Pickett/Mac Jones/Sam Howell. Justin Fields barely got a job. You get three years to prove yourself at QB and if you don’t, you wont be a starter again," a third wrote.

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 25: Former Cincinnati Bengals player Boomer Esiason walks across the field at halftime of the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 25, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)Dylan Buell/Getty Images

There's certainly a lot to unpack in Boomer's rant. Unlike some players who actually did force their way out of places they didn't like, Williams is still with the Bears despite everything that's been alleged against him.

Do you agree with Esiason?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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