Caleb Williams, the highly touted quarterback from USC, was selected first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. However, his journey to the Windy City wasn’t without its share of rumors and speculation, particularly concerning his reported reluctance to play for the Washington Commanders, who held the second overall pick.
After the Bears traded away their previous quarterback, Justin Fields, it became clear they were in the market for a new franchise leader. Williams was the obvious choice, but whispers began to circulate that the former Heisman Trophy winner had influenced the process to ensure he landed in Chicago rather than with his hometown team, the Commanders.
Williams, a native of Maryland, recently addressed these rumors during an appearance on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, shedding light on his feelings about potentially playing for the Commanders.
“I wasn’t against going home, as people said throughout the process,” Williams explained. He likened his situation to that of NBA superstar Kevin Durant, who also faced questions about whether he wanted to return to play in his hometown area. “It would be like KD. KD didn’t really want to go home, and it wasn’t because of the team or anything like that.”
Williams elaborated that the issue wasn’t with the Commanders as an organization but rather the potential distractions that could come from playing so close to home. He acknowledged that having family nearby could create a complicated dynamic, one that might interfere with his focus on football.
“It was more about the fact that everybody in my family is there,” Williams said. “Family, or it’s the family that’s not family that I’ve known for so long or been around or haven’t known, or the new family that everybody talks about. It was more or less having to deal with all of that and make it a huge distraction for me and take away from the thing that I enjoy doing, I love doing every single day.”
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In the end, the situation played out favorably for both teams involved. The Bears got the quarterback they coveted in Williams, securing a player they believe can lead them to future success. The Commanders, meanwhile, selected LSU’s Jayden Daniels with their pick, finding their own potential franchise quarterback.
Although Williams didn’t end up with his hometown team, he will have the opportunity to play in front of his family later this year when the Bears travel to Washington to face the Commanders on October 27.
The game will feature a highly anticipated showdown between the top two quarterbacks of the 2024 NFL Draft, giving Williams a chance to prove his decision—or lack of one—was the right move.
