Caleb Williams and his family openly expressed concern over the quarterback going to Chicago before the Bears drafted him in 2024.

With Williams being the clear-cut top pick coming out of USC, Carl told several agents in 2024 he didn’t want his son to play for the Bears, who had the No. 1 pick. Part of his efforts to avoid Chicago included consulting Archie Manning, father of Eli Manning, who helped orchestrate Eli’s trade from the San Diego Chargers to the New York Giants.

Before being drafted first overall, quarterback Caleb Williams considered trying to force his way away from being drafted by the Chicago Bears.