Approaching what proved to be a historic 2024 quarterback draft class that saw six quarterbacks drafted in the first round, the Minnesota Vikings left no stone unturned.
Despite holding the No. 11 pick, seemingly out of range of trading inside the top two picks of the draft, the Vikings interviewed Caleb Williams, who was eventually selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears.
However, Carl Williams, Caleb's father, told Seth Wickersham, author of "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," in the months before the 2024 draft that he had mixed feelings about his destination in the NFL.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell (left) and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (right)
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
In the forthcoming book that will be released in September, Carl revealed that he did not want Caleb to play for the Bears and that Caleb dreamt of playing for the Vikings.
"I don't want my son playing for the Bears," Carl told several agents in 2024, per ESPN's early look at Wickersham's book.
According to ESPN, Caleb met with Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and Caleb began to "dream of what it would be like to play for Minnesota," but was denied the potential of a trade by Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
From ESPN:
"I need to go to the Vikings," he told his father.
"Let's do it," his father replied. But both Caleb and Carl knew that a trade to a divisional rival was extremely unlikely.
Bears GM Ryan Poles stood firm, telling Williams, "We're drafting you no matter what."
Wickersham's book is a startling revelation of what could have been for Williams, who embarks on his second season in Chicago and first year under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Williams set the franchise rookie passing yards record with 3,541 yards through the air but struggled, taking a league-high 68 sacks, during a dysfunctional season for the organization that went 5-12 last year.
It's also further affirmation of O'Connell glowing reputation as a quarterback guru. He drew praise from Williams and Anthony Richardson after facing the young quarterbacks last season.
Meanwhile, the Vikings embark on their first year with J.J. McCarthy as their presumed starter.
The two young quarterbacks' careers will be tied for potentially the next decade in a contentious NFC North division that saw the Bears and Vikings enter rebuilding patterns with the hiring of new general managers in 2022.
