Caleb Williams & Vikings Stuff Has New Twist

Nov 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) walks off the field after a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports. One week ago, ESPN revealed excerpts from a new book, detailing Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ ardor and fascination with the Minnesota Vikings. Thanks to ESPN reporter Seth Wickersham, fans learned more about Caleb Williams’ desire to play for the Vikings leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Thirteen months ago, Williams was about to enter the NFL as the first overall draft pick, and the Vikings needed a quarterback of the future. During the wooing process, Williams fell in love with Minnesota — not Chicago — and the upcoming book claims Williams told his father, “I need to go to the Vikings.” Williams’ dad agreed, but the Bears ultimately picked Williams, and the rest is history. Now, thanks to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, more details are known about Williams’ preference for the Vikings — he really, really liked head coach Kevin O’Connell. Kevin O’Connell’s Background, Resume Intrigued Caleb Williams Wickersham revealed in a Substack article this week: “I think it was more in comparison to other offensive minds around the league. Shane Waldron has a terrific resume, he’s worked with some really great coaches, and he’s really bright guy with a great educational background. But he was essentially taking a playbook he had learned elsewhere and trying to apply it in Chicago.” “Whereas when Caleb met with Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Vikings, he saw someone who had been a four-year quarterback starter in college, and briefly teammate of Tom Brady’s in the NFL, had learned from some of the brightest coaches and brightest offensive minds in the league, had won a Super Bowl, and was turning out to be a pretty good coach in Minnesota.” Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) walks on field against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports. O’Connell has rapidly constructed a reputation favorable to all quarterbacks, empowering Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Sam Darnold through seasons of work. Wickersham added, “Rather than have the guy who’s bringing a playbook from his previous place and trying to apply it, you want a guy who’s the brains behind that particular playbook. And I think Kevin O’Connell could speak quarterback in a way that was unlike anybody on the Bears’ staff.” It was O’Connell that Williams sought — all O’Connell. Water under the Bridge While Williams’ inkling for Minnesota is embarrassing to the Bears, as a franchise, in 2025, it’s a last-year event. Chicago has since hired Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions as their new skipper, and Williams has been vocal with his approval stamp. The Bears also pulled Michigan tight end Colston Loveland from last month’s draft, adding even more playmakers to Williams’ arsenal. Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports. It’s a neat historical factoid that Williams preferred the Vikings over the Bears, but he’s happy with his setup now. A Week 1 Matchup Right Away in 2025 Of course, the plot thickened when the NFL released the schedule last week. Williams will take on the team he wanted — the Vikings — immediately in 2025, hosting J.J. McCarthy’s team. Barring injury, McCarthy will make his first career start that Monday night, September 8th, so the Williams storyline will be front and center, at least for inquisitive purple fans. Never Rule Out Crossing Paths Down the Road Williams has four years left on his rookie contract, and with any luck, the Bears will keep him around for the long haul. Still, the NFL changes quickly, and in a world where McCarthy didn’t pan out for Minnesota and Williams never took off in Chicago, it wouldn’t be weird one bit for Williams and O’Connell to collaborate down the line. USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams talks with USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the first half of the game against No. 6 Oregon Ducks on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.© Abigail Dollins/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK. There’s a mutual admiration society there. Janik Eckardt on Caleb Williams, Vikings PurplePTSD’s Janik Eckardt recently opined on the Williams draft bombshell, “Everyone loves head coach Kevin O’Connell. He is a likable character and has earned the QB whisperer label over the last few years.” “The Vikings did their due diligence regarding all the quarterbacks ahead of the 2024 draft, knowing they need a succession plan for Kirk Cousins, whether the aging passer would return for a seventh season or not. Williams met with the brass at the scouting combine. That’s when the aforementioned conversation between Williams the younger and Williams the elder took place.” Williams played decently in 2024, but at least for a season, fell short of No. 1 draft pick expectations.