Caleb Williams and his father Carl had no intention of playing for the Chicago Bears in 2022. To find a workaround around the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, they explored signing with the United Football League. They even considered publicly criticizing the team.
Carl Williams infamously said ahead of the draft, “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die.” Despite this, Caleb resigned himself to being drafted by the Bears and believed he could help lead a turnaround. He ultimately joined the team and had a disappointing rookie season, throwing for 20 touchdowns while taking 68 sacks.
The team’s struggles continued, with a 10-game losing streak and a final record of 5-12. The issues persisted even after Ben Johnson was hired as head coach in January, replacing Matt Eberflus. Declan Doyle has since taken over as offensive coordinator. Seth Wickersham’s book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback” provides insight into Caleb Williams’ decision-making and his father’s influence on it.
Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/caleb-williams-and-father-looked-for-ways-to-avoid-him-getting-drafted-by-bears-according-to-book