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Peyton Manning made some comments right in front of Caleb Williams that likely made the Chicago Bears QB very uncomfortable

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 10:05 AM ET

Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning made some comments during a panel at Fanatics Fest that almost certainly made Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams uncomfortable.

Manning was part of a "Franchise Faces" panel alongside Williams, Eli Manning, Bryce Young, and CJ Stroud this weekend in New York. During the panel, Peyton and Eli offered advice to the young quarterbacks on how to succeed in the NFL.

At one point, Manning spoke about the importance of quarterbacks meeting with the media after a tough loss.

"Everybody wants to throw four touchdowns and 400 yards and be in a good mood," said Manning. "But when you throw four interceptions like I did -- thanks for bringing that up, by the way -- [in my] rookie year, you better show up and do your interviews and answer the tough questions, right? That's what the quarterback is supposed to do. Because if you're not showing up, now your teammates aren't showing up. And the next thing you know, they're saying, 'Hey, these players aren't very accountable'."

Those comments had to hit close to home for Williams.

Back in 2023, Williams declined to speak to the media after his final game at USC -- a 38-20 loss to UCLA.

Caleb Williams has “elected not to speak to the media” after the loss to UCLA, a USC spokesperson said.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) November 19, 2023

Williams, unsurprisingly, was heavily criticized for the decision to skip out on talking to the media after the tough loss to the Bruins.

I don't know if Manning was thinking about Williams skipping out on the media when he made those comments at Fanatics Fest — he seemed to be speaking in general terms — but it definitely felt a bit awkward with Williams sitting just a few feet away.

Ultimately, what happened at USC in 2023 is in the past for Williams. The best thing he can do now is take Manning’s advice to heart — and make sure he never skips a media session again.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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