Caleb Williams’ camp delivered a precise statement to Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams’ request comes a day after radio talk show host Colin Cowherd said on Thursday Williams didn’t want to play for the Bears.

Colin Cowherd made a dumb statement about Caleb Williams
As discussed previously by Connor Downs with GH, Cowherd said Williams might want to go to the Washington Commanders:

“I do think it’s possible that Washington trades up and Chicago allows Washington to trade up. Because Caleb (Williams) and his group do not want to go to Chicago, he’s from the D.C. area. I think Dan Quinn is considered. The big concern for Caleb Williams, and you have to admit this, is where you land matters. Chicago has never developed a star quarterback.”

Williams isn’t against playing for the Chicago Bears
Williams must have taken issue with Cowherd’s speculations because, on Friday, the sports shock jock issued a correction. Per Awful Announcing:

“So I got a call from the Caleb Williams camp and they went ‘whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, Colin. We don’t want to be painted as anti-Chicago and we don’t want to be painted as anti-Bear.’

And they made it clear to me that they said: ‘Listen, we don’t want to go to a city that doesn’t care. Chicago cares–they’re big, loud, they’re passionate. They fire coaches all the time. They care. We don’t want to go to some Sun Belt place where you tarp off the upper deck.’

And they did say there is a path to succeed in Chicago — it’s called the Houston Texans. Defensive coach. A couple of weapons. Cap space. Good pick. They’ve got a second pick. There’s a bunch of different receivers out there [Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze]. They can go get another weapon.”

Caleb Williams sent a strong message to the Bears GM
So yes, Williams is okay with the Bears drafting him. Many in the media are focusing on that part of the story. However, Williams’ team sent a bold ask of the Bears in their discussion with Cowherd.

Williams is making it known he’s okay with Chicago drafting him if they plan to build around him. Williams’ camp even knows what they want Poles to do with their number nine pick in the 2024 draft. He wants a wide receiver.

Williams was nice enough to let Cowherd know what college teams had the wide receiver the former USC quarterback wanted to throw to next year. Williams wants the Bears to draft Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick.

Williams can ask for the Bears to take a wide receiver with that pick, but once draft night happens, that’s out of his hands. Nabers or Odunze might be off the board by the time the Bears pick at nine.

Williams wouldn’t have much leverage once the Bears take him at No. 1. But would Williams be willing not to sign his rookie contract and force the Bears to trade him if Poles isn’t as aggressive in building the offense during the draft as he would like?