Photo Credit: Michael Reaves/GettyImages
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made it clear on Wednesday—he’s happy to be in Chicago and proud to be part of the team’s future. After the Bears wrapped up their second open OTA practice, Williams gave a nearly four-minute opening statement to address recent reports from a new book that questioned whether he wanted to be drafted by the Bears, according to a report from ESPN.
The book, American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback by Seth Wickersham, shared that Williams and his father, Carl, had discussed ways to avoid ending up in Chicago before the 2024 NFL Draft.
Williams, the No. 1 overall pick, said the story had become a “distraction” and that it was time to set the record straight.
Clearing the Air
Williams admitted that he and his family had doubts at first about joining a team with a long history of struggles at quarterback. He pointed out that the Bears have never had a 4,000-yard passer in a single season.
Still, things changed after his visit to Chicago in April, just after he met with the Minnesota Vikings—who the book says were his preferred team at the time.
“I wanted to come here and be the guy,” Williams said. “I wanted to be part of the reason this team turns things around. The most important thing is—I wanted to be here. I love being here.”
A Tough Rookie Season
Williams’ rookie year wasn’t easy. The Bears finished 5-12. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was fired after Week 11, and head coach Matt Eberflus was let go three weeks later.
Still, Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions—one of the best rookie seasons in Bears history. However, he also led the league in sacks taken (68) and ranked 31st in QBR (46.7).
Despite the challenges, Williams said he never expected the season to fall apart. His father, though, had strong opinions. In the book, Carl Williams said, “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die.”
Caleb responded to that comment by saying his dad doesn’t speak for him.
Family Support, On His Terms
“Actually, I shut my dad down quite a bit,” Williams said. “He has ideas. He’s smart, and I always listen. But he cares so much about me. We’ve been on this journey together. Sometimes he just needs to reset. I love him to death. I’m lucky to have him.”
Williams said he’s talked with his parents about knowing when and where to say things, especially since their words reflect on him.
Addressing Coaching Concerns
Another part of the book claimed Williams used to watch game film alone, without any help or instruction from Bears coaches. The quote: “No one tells me what to watch. I just turn it on.”
Williams laughed that off and said the comment was taken out of context.
“It’s not that I didn’t know how to watch film,” he said. “I was just learning how to watch it better—how to pick up more things and study more efficiently. That one was funny.”
A Fresh Start in 2025
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has already made it clear he wants to help change how quarterbacks are developed in Chicago. That starts with helping Williams improve his presence on the field, especially during tough moments.
“There’s going to be adversity,” Johnson said. “We might lose games, have turnovers—but we’re leading this team. Our body language has to show that we’re in control, that we’re moving forward, and not stuck in the past.”
For Williams, the goal is the same—grow, improve, and prove he belongs.
“I love being here,” he repeated. “I’m all in.”
