New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson would not coach his first regular-season sport till September, however he is already coping with a possible controversy.
On Thursday, ESPN launched an excerpt from Seth Wickersham’s new e book, “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” that exposed Bears QB Caleb Williams’ father, Carl, did not need Chicago to take him with the No. 1 choose in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” Carl Williams, Caleb’s father, told Wickersham ahead of the 2024 draft (h/t ESPN).
Wickersham reported that Carl Williams met with labor attorneys and brokers to see if he might circumvent the draft course of. He additionally thought-about whether or not Caleb ought to signal with the United Soccer League so he might develop into an unrestricted NFL free agent and choose his group.
Johnson, nonetheless, insists that no matter occurred final offseason not issues.
“I see an opportunity for greatness right here for him,” Johnson mentioned Thursday on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” via Matt Clapp of the Comeback/Terrible Asserting. “He is been communicated that manner and he feels the identical manner. I do not know what’s gone on previous to him becoming a member of the group, however he’s very proud to be a Chicago Bear. That is what our conversations have included. He is actually excited to get to work proper now and be one of the best model of himself for 2025.”
Caleb Williams reportedly wished to play for Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, an offensive genius. As soon as he realized Chicago would not commerce him to an NFC North rival, the QB reportedly accepted he can be a Bear and informed his father they would not publicly assault the group.
Now, it appears Caleb Williams is targeted on serving to the Bears make the playoffs for the primary time because the 2020 season. Johnson might assist him do this.
When Johnson was the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2024, the group ranked first in scoring (33.2). If he maximizes Caleb Williams, who tossed 20 TD passes in 17 begins as a rookie, this must be a forgotten storyline.