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Former NFL star Boomer Esiason had a terse message for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams after a book revealed details of the former USC standout trying to avoid being selected by the NFC North team in 2024.
Williams and his father, Carl, asked attorneys to find a workaround to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, explored signing in the United Football League and considered ripping the city of Chicago and the team to create a controversy, according to “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback.”
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FILE – Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)
Still, the Bears selected Williams with the No. 1 overall pick and he played only 12 games under Matt Eberflus before the coach was fired. Now, Williams will get to play under Ben Johnson.
Esiason talked about the book’s details on his WFAN morning show in New York.
“The level of entitlement is breathtaking. It’s no wonder why he failed initially, and it’s no wonder why the coach got fired. So now they go out and get an offensive coach in Ben Johnson.
“So you know what? Now it’s on his a–. It’s going to be on his a– to live up to these so-called lofty expectations that he has for himself and that his father has for his son. I understand that there could be a discussion, ‘Hey, this is where quarterbacks go to die.’ Well, go fix it. Be the reason that the team is going to turn it around, and you be the player that you think you are.”
Dec. 4, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Boomer Esiason during the game of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. (Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)
CALEB WILLIAMS TRIED TO AVOID GETTING DRAFTED BY BEARS AND CONSIDERED UFL STINT, BOOK SAYS
Esiason said he would tell Williams to just “keep your mouth shut, you’re going into the greatest league that there’s ever been for the sport that we all love, you’re gonna have a chance one day to make $500 million, because guys like me and guys before me all went on strike so you could actually make more money.”
“Keep your pie-hole shut, and go out and play football and earn your keep and earn your respect.”
Williams, nor the Bears, have commented on the book’s details.
Williams said at the time of Johnson’s hiring that he was “extremely excited” about it.
Nov. 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. (Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images)
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“Then once I got off the phone, I was driving on the highway, and I don’t know if it was safe or not, but I gave a loud yell and scream of just excitement,” Williams said. “It brings a bunch of clarity to the offseason. It brings a bunch of different things to the offseason. I’m really excited about the Bears and being able to make this happen. And keep Ben Johnson as our coach for a long time.”
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