I know it is delusional thinking on my part. But gotta admit I wondered if Washington or the Pats had an agenda here. These rumors get reported once on social media and they get picked up and endlessly repeated until folks believe it as truth. It's not just a "sports thing" but the way it is on social media now. Same with "news" sources. One news outlet puts something out there and
I knew it!!!
This has his fingerprints all over it! Now it all becomes clear. He discredits Caleb so the Bears bring back Smokin' Jay Cutler.
The biggest takeaways for me, from his pro day, are:
1) His dad kept his distance. He stayed in the background let Caleb do his thing and did not try to interrupt or intervene with Poles, Eberflus, and other players. This is new behavior, as previously he dictated Caleb's every move and was almost a "Shadow." I'm hoping someone talked some common sense into this guy and made him realize this isn't about him, and it's about his son, and that his constant influence isn't always a good thing.
2) Caleb's teammates at USC love the guy. Several interactions were captured with many, many of his USC teammates that show he is not only admired by them but also respected by them
3) Caleb (actually, I should say his dad) had previously indicated (multiple times) that Caleb would not play for the Bears. Caleb's interaction with the Bears indicates this is no longer the case. Now whether that is a result of Caleb telling his dad to mind his own damn business or if they both had a change of heart (as a result of going #1 overall) remains to be answered.
This is the reason I am concerned about taking him. He was not going to use an agent in the draft and in getting his first contract signed (I assume it meant his dad was assuming that role). Hopefully this has all changed.
The biggest takeaways for me, from his pro day, are:
1) His dad kept his distance. He stayed in the background let Caleb do his thing and did not try to interrupt or intervene with Poles, Eberflus, and other players. This is new behavior, as previously he dictated Caleb's every move and was almost a "Shadow." I'm hoping someone talked some common sense into this guy and made him realize this isn't about him, and it's about his son, and that his constant influence isn't always a good thing.
2) Caleb's teammates at USC love the guy. Several interactions were captured with many, many of his USC teammates that show he is not only admired by them but also respected by them
3) Caleb (actually, I should say his dad) had previously indicated (multiple times) that Caleb would not play for the Bears. Caleb's interaction with the Bears indicates this is no longer the case. Now whether that is a result of Caleb telling his dad to mind his own damn business or if they both had a change of heart (as a result of going #1 overall) remains to be answered.
This is the reason I am concerned about taking him. He was not going to use an agent in the draft and in getting his first contract signed (I assume it meant his dad was assuming that role). Hopefully this has all changed.
That is a pain. But I thought I read somewhere that at least he had an NFL agent advising him. LOL, whatever that means. I'm thinking that if the guy truly is a once-in-a-generation QB1, then hey, it's worth putting up with some headaches. We have had more compliant guys like Mitch and Fields. But I feel like some of the elite athletes (not just football athletes) are a bit challenging personality wise. To some extent the Bears need to have the people who can work with these type guys. Eberflus seems to be able to connect especially well with his players. If he really can work with guys like Caleb then that is a good asset. Andy Reid is a good one who connects with these big personalities. I loved how he handled the bumping and yelling Kelce in the Super Bowl. He made what could have been a big deal - a non issue. You can tell his guys respect him and downright love him. I'm hoping Eberflus has some of these people skills. The old time screaming and yelling HC is a dinosaur... that doesn't work with professional athletes now. At least I don't believe so.
Post by mightyjoeyoung on Mar 22, 2024 22:07:07 GMT -6
I think if anything, what may have warmed Caleb up to playing in Chicago, is the yeoman's work Poles did in the offseason.
He traded for the Chargers' receiver whom Caleb was already familiar with, also signed a quality TE and RB, and bolstered the Offensive Line. As crazy as it is to say, it made Chicago probably the best place a #1 pick could land in the history of the NFL with regards to the situation he is coming into.
As for what I heard about Caleb himself, he isn't represented by an NFL Agent, but a PR firm. His dad has a strong hand in everything, and they do WANT to have all the fame and glory, but also are trying to be extremely savvy about it. That though unfortunately has led to him getting a sort of "Hollywood" reputation, I think.
I think Jaylon Johnson put it best - Caleb needs to leave the "Hollywood" shit behind in college - the nail painting, seeking GQ covers, and all the shit that goes with it, humble himself, and just come in to the locker room with humility and a willingness to work, then it will all work out.
And I think the Pro day went a long way to helping that cause. It's probably in part from the PR firm, but you are hearing and getting to see him, and seeing him being down to earth and relatable. We got to see him as a person and not as a celeb.
And consider that Ryan Poles is likely also feeding Caleb's PR team info - the locker room was NOT HAPPY that Fields got traded. Caleb is going into a hostile environment. So I think to help with that, Poles let the PR team know, and when you consider Jaylon's comments, its not hard to see that work is now being done to lay fears to rest in the locker room.
All in all, I think all parties seem to care way too much to let things go wrong. I think Caleb is going to be a Bear, and I like also that the WR we traded for is someone Caleb has also known for a year, so even if it takes DJ a while to warm up to Caleb, he has a receiver he can lean on in the meantime.
I think if anything, what may have warmed Caleb up to playing in Chicago, is the yeoman's work Poles did in the offseason.
He traded for the Chargers' receiver whom Caleb was already familiar with, also signed a quality TE and RB, and bolstered the Offensive Line. As crazy as it is to say, it made Chicago probably the best place a #1 pick could land in the history of the NFL with regards to the situation he is coming into.
As for what I heard about Caleb himself, he isn't represented by an NFL Agent, but a PR firm. His dad has a strong hand in everything, and they do WANT to have all the fame and glory, but also are trying to be extremely savvy about it. That though unfortunately has led to him getting a sort of "Hollywood" reputation, I think.
I think Jaylon Johnson put it best - Caleb needs to leave the "Hollywood" shit behind in college - the nail painting, seeking GQ covers, and all the shit that goes with it, humble himself, and just come in to the locker room with humility and a willingness to work, then it will all work out.
And I think the Pro day went a long way to helping that cause. It's probably in part from the PR firm, but you are hearing and getting to see him, and seeing him being down to earth and relatable. We got to see him as a person and not as a celeb.
And consider that Ryan Poles is likely also feeding Caleb's PR team info - the locker room was NOT HAPPY that Fields got traded. Caleb is going into a hostile environment. So I think to help with that, Poles let the PR team know, and when you consider Jaylon's comments, its not hard to see that work is now being done to lay fears to rest in the locker room.
All in all, I think all parties seem to care way too much to let things go wrong. I think Caleb is going to be a Bear, and I like also that the WR we traded for is someone Caleb has also known for a year, so even if it takes DJ a while to warm up to Caleb, he has a receiver he can lean on in the meantime.
That is the best post I've read all week, describing where we're at here with Caleb Williams. Great synopsis (I hope none of that is MSU stuff though
