The start of the pre-draft process ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft generates a ton of rumors regarding top players, none more so than Caleb Williams. As the USC Trojans star prepares for the NFL Combine, there is already rampant speculation regarding his next team.
The 22-year-old quarterback has kept things quiet, working with his private quarterback coach to best prepare himself for the NFL. As he focuses on football, NFL Draft rumors are swirling regarding what the Chicago Bears will do with the first overall pick and quarterback Justin Fields.
- Caleb Williams college stats (career): 10,082 passing yards, 93 passing touchdowns, 169.3 QB rating, 66.9 percent completion rate, 960 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns
Related: Caleb Williams scouting report
Speaking on the Bears’ situation on Fox Sports 1, Colin Cowherd suggested on Thursday that Williams and his group might not want him playing for Chicago in 2024. The speculation went viral, leading to trade rumors speculating on a team like the Las Vegas Raiders or Atlanta Falcons moving up for Williams.
“I do think it’s possible that Washington trades up and Chicago allows Washington to trade up. Because Caleb (Williams) and his group do not want to go to Chicago. He’s from the D.C. area. I think Dan Quinn is considered. The big concern for Caleb Williams, and you have to admit this, where you land matters. Chicago has never developed a star quarterback
Colin Cowherd on Thursday regarding USC Trojans QB Caleb Williams
However, some around the NFL were a lot more skeptical of Cowherd’s suggestion. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network liked a tweet suggesting that Cowherd’s report was “BS”. Rapoport later followed that up on Friday asking why Williams would not want to play for Chicago, pointing to the city itself and the Bears’ improved reputation league-wide.
Related: NFL reporter addresses potential off-field questions with Caleb Williams
Will Caleb Williams Go To The Bears?
Meanwhile, Cowherd walked back his statement. Back on his show, Cowherd retracted what he said on Thursday and said Williams’s camp personally reached out to him to dispel any notion he doesn’t want to play in Chicago.
“I got a call from the Caleb Williams camp, and they went, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Colin, we don’t want to painted as anti-Chicago and we don’t want to be painted as anti-Bear. They made it clear to me that they said, “Listen, we don’t want to go to a city that doesn’t care.”
Colin Cowherd on Caleb Williams’ camp denying that he doesn’t want to play for the Chicago Bears
Related: Insider reveals biggest on-field concern NFL teams have with Caleb Williams
Clearly, Williams and his representatives weren’t happy at Cowherd’s suggestion that they weren’t interested in being drafted No. 1 overall by the Bears. In fact, the response from Williams’ camp suggests they’d be very open to playing in Chicago if they believe it’s the right landing spot for him.
While there will still be plenty of speculation and NFL Draft rumors this offseason suggesting Williams could pull an Eli Manning and force his way elsewhere, there is no definitive reporting from around the NFL or with ties to Williams’ side that he will do that. As long as that’s the case, the Bears will have the ultimate leverage throughout the pre-draft process as they weigh interest in the No. 1 pick and Justin Fields.
