Latest news with #ShaneWaldron
Fox News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Caleb Williams addresses NFL Draft controversy: 'I wanted to be here' with Bears
In his first meeting with reporters this year, Caleb Williams immediately addressed "what everybody would love to ask about." Earlier this month, it was revealed Williams had preferred going to Minnesota and even tried to avoid getting drafted by the Chicago Bears, who eventually selected him No. 1 overall. Williams admitted the story had become a "distraction" and felt it was important to talk about the circumstances. The second-year quarterback didn't exactly deny what was said in the book, "but something that keeps getting lost and not being addressed is the fact that" he "wanted to come" to Chicago after visiting with them, which he did after his meeting with the Vikings. Williams said his "thoughts" about the Bears were "fair," considering "there hasn't been a 4,000-yard passer." Williams' 4,030 total yards were the most by a Bears quarterback ever. "But I came here on a visit, and it's a challenge to be able to try to turn around. And that was the main goal of all of that. Through all of what happened last year and in previous years, I think that was enticing," Williams added. "That was something that was glaring to me. I wanted to come here and be the guy and be a part and be a reason why the Chicago Bears turn this thing around. That last thing that was said in all of that, I think, is the most important thing is that I wanted to be here. I love being here." Williams even name-dropped Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron, the since-fired head coach and offensive coordinator, as those he was thankful for. Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson became the Bears' new head coach this offseason. It was a move Williams was "extremely excited" about, to the point he even thanked Bears brass in a phone call. "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 at the time of the hiring. "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." Williams got some additional help in the NFL Draft when Chicago drafted Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Ben Johnson eager to "change the narrative" about Bears' quarterback history
As Ben Johnson lays the foundation of his plan to move the Bears forward, some not-so-flattering stories from the franchise's recent past have leaked out, but their new head coach is determined to forge ahead. The Bears held their first open practice of voluntary organized team activities inside the Walter Payton Center on Wednesday due to the rainy weather. Quarterback Caleb Williams was not made available to reporters after practice, but head coach Ben Johnson made a point to address a new book revealing Williams' preference to not be drafted by the Bears ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. "I wasn't here last year, and so Ican't speak to 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," Johnson said. According to a tell-all book by author Seth Wickersham of ESPN, Williams' father talked to labor lawyers in an effort to circumvent the NFL Draft — calling Chicago "the place where quarterbacks go to die." Williams later decided to embrace the challenge of rewriting the Bears' quarterback history, but revealed he often watched film alone as a rookie in 2024 — before offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus were eventually fired. Johnson also clearly relishes the chance to transform the team's image. "I love it. I love it. I love the opportunity to come on in and change that narrative. That's where great stories are written" he said. On the practice field, Johnson was intense, even agitated at times at what he called little mistakes. It's something the players, even on defense, took notice of. "Just trying to set the culture... it's been a losing culture... drastically come in and rearrange everything," safety Kevin Byard said. The Bears had good attendance from veterans for these optional OTAs. Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III was not at Halas Hall, dealing with what Johnson called a soft tissue injury.
Fox News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Caleb Williams tried to avoid getting drafted by Bears and considered UFL stint, book says
Eli Manning and John Elway almost had company. A new book details how Caleb Williams apparently tried to avoid getting drafted by the Chicago Bears last year. Williams and his family consulted with lawyers to find a loophole in the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, all while his father told the book's author, Seth Wickersham, that "Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die." Williams himself wondered if he could "do it" with Shane Waldron, who has since been fired from his offensive coordinator role. His father, Carl, was also concerned about Matt Eberflus (also since let go as the head coach), and uncertainty within the franchise, along with previous first-round quarterbacks the organization had selected, would hold his son back. "I don't want my son playing for the Bears," Carl Williams apparently said. Caleb actually told his dad that he "needed" to go to the Minnesota Vikings after meeting with them, knowing how unlikely that would be. In fact, the quarterback even considered signing into the United Football League out of USC, rather than being the automatic first pick in the NFL. The details are highlighted in Wickersham's book, "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," which is set to be released in September. The Bears declined to comment to Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital reached out to Williams' rep. Williams eventually stayed in the NFL Draft, and he was convinced after sitting down with Bears brass that he could succeed there. General manager Ryan Poles was not budging, and Williams did not want to pull a Manning from 2004, or Elway in 1983. He was selected by Chicago to be their next franchise quarterback, and thankfully for the Williamses, a couple of their concerns – the aforementioned Eberflus and Waldron – are no longer in the organization. Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson joined the Bears to be their new head coach this offseason. It was a move that Williams was "extremely excited" about, to the point where he even thanked Bears brass in a phone call. "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." He had an up-and-down rookie season, partially due to the coaching carousel inside the building. He was also sacked 68 times, the most in the NFL. But in all, he ended up with 20 touchdowns, six interceptions, 3,541 passing yards, and 489 rushing yards. His 4,030 total yards were the most by a Bears quarterback ever. Williams got some additional help in the NFL Draft, as Chicago drafted Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba clears the air on Shane Waldon... sorta
A little over a year ago at this time, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba gave an incredibly awkward response when asked about former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron by a Chicago Bears podcast. By no means did JSN say anything cruel or hurtful, but the extended silence in response to asking him about Waldron was certainly noticeable. Fast forward 12 months, almost to the day, and JSN offered some clarity towards his comments… sort of. Appearing on a new podcast hosted by former teammate Laviska Shenault Jr., JSN gave some time to explain how he was a little caught off guard by the question, as his mind was all over the place following several media appearances in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week, and was not expecting a question about Shane Waldron. JSN says he did not mean any disrespect towards Waldron. However, another period of awkward silence did occur once more on the topic. WOAH:#Seahawks Jaxon Smith-Njigba said this about former Seattle OC Shane Waldron: 'I really thought he was a good offensive coordinator…. [pauses and giggles].' WATCH THE REST OF THE PODCAST HERE: h/t: @vountee [🎥: Athlete's Aura/Youtube] — HawkMania (@hawkmania4) February 15, 2025 I know JSN's heart is in the right place. He is a good dude and I believe him when he says he means no disrespect. I can also assume he probably did not fully enjoy the time spent playing in Waldron's system. And who can blame him? I mean, just look at the leap he took from year one under Waldon to year two under Grubb (a coach who is now no longer in the NFL) Targets: 93 in 2023 to 137 in 2024 Receptions: 63 in 2023 to 100 in 2024 (tied a franchise record) Receiving yards: 628 in 2023 to 1,130 in 2024 Touchdowns: 4 in 2024 and 6 in 2024 By no means were those numbers bad for a rookie, in a vacuum, but they were hardly eye-popping stats you'd expect from the first wide receiver selected in the 2023 NFL draft. The fact JSN was able to explode in year two the way he did can be, at least in part, attributed to an offensive coordinator better suited at incorporating his skillset into the offense.
