Ben Johnson Addresses Huge Caleb Williams Controversy
I feel like I'm watching The Color Purple when Nettie told Mister, 'nothing but death can keep me from it.'
Really, it's not that dramatic, but I did feel like something wicked was trying to ruin the peace and tranquility attached to the Chicago Bears' offseason when excerpts of Seth Wickersham's book, American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, leaked.
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For those who are unaware, Wickersham's book seemed to expose the fact that Williams and his dad sought to circumvent the NFL's rules in an effort to avoid being drafted by the Bears ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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This wasn't a situation where Johnson had to say anything. But he did anyway—on his own terms. He walked into the press conference and made sure Bears fans knew that he nor the organization was running to hide from the story.
Johnson addressed the controversy about the book without being asked.
'It's come to my attention that the quarterback's been out in the media over the last week, Johnson said. 'And just to get out in front of that a little bit, I just wanted to say I wasn't here last year. And so I can't speak too much in terms of what it was like before he got here and when he got here last year. But from my four months on the job, he's been outstanding to work with and we just are focusing on getting a little better every day.'
Here is a look at the segment from Johnson's presser.
Let's be frank, no Bears fan is thrilled to learn that Williams didn't want to be a part of the organization. However, that was then, and this is now.
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He's a part of the team and based on his on-field actions, Williams hasn't behaved like a guy who wants out. Johnson has asserted himself as the kind of leader every quarterback should want to play for, and all will be well if the upcoming season is a success.
As for Williams' dad, we need not worry about that too much. As young players get older and mature, the opinions of their parents still matter, but they don't shape the player's decisions as much as they might have fresh out of college.
If Williams is happy, successful and paid, he'll be fine. And the Bears will be too.
Related: Bears Sign Pro-Bowler to Crucial Extension
Related: Bears Coach Confirms Luther Burden III Will Get Opportunity to Beat Out Former Pro Bowler for Spot
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