Caleb Williams is looking to make one thing clear: He has no issue with being drafted by the Bears.
The projected No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft did a bit of damage control in an interview with ESPN published on Wednesday in which he told the outlet that he would be “excited” if the Bears selected him.
Colin Cowherd previously said in January during his show on FS1 that “Caleb [Williams] and his group DO NOT want to go to Chicago,” but the host walked it back on his next show after Williams’ camp had reached out to say that wasn’t true.
Still, the thought has continued to persist, and Williams pushed back on any notion that he would ask for a trade or wanted to play for any other team.
“I’m not pushing any agenda,” Williams said. “At the end of the day, the Bears have the last say. Regardless of how I feel, I’m not pushing an agenda of, ‘Yeah, I want to go. Or no, I don’t want to go.’ I’m excited for whatever comes.”
Williams is set to meet with the Bears this week in Indianapolis at the draft combine, but he is not working out for the team while there.
He told the outlet that he was excited to sit down with the Chicago brass, and should he be drafted by the Bears in April, there wouldn’t be any issues.
“If I get drafted by the Bears, I’ll be excited,” Williams said. “If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I’m just as excited. Speaking about Chicago, they have a talented team, a talented offense and defense. For anyone to be in that situation, I think they’d be excited.”
Williams did mention his admiration for Chicago legends Michael Jordan and Walter Payton, along with the city’s famed deep-dish pizza.
The 2022 Heisman winner wants to reach a level of immortality on the field, and he said a city like Chicago is the place you’d want to do that in.
“As the saying goes, the legends live on,” Williams said. “That’s my goal of playing football — it’s not money, it’s not fame … it’s to be immortal. I want to reach that sense of being a legend. Being at the table … and having a rightful seat through hard work and energy and time I’ve put into this game that we all love.
“It’s appealing to be in a city like that. With legends that you’ve looked up to … reach for the standard they set and try to do anything to get there.”
The Commanders, who hold the No. 2 pick in the draft, have been considered another possible landing spot for Williams, since he is from the Washington D.C. area.
Kliff Kingsbury, who spent last year on the offensive staff at USC, is also now the Commanders’ offensive coordinator.
Williams called the possibility of playing near home “really cool” because of his familiarity with the region but reiterated that his focus is on winning games.
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