NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Insiders Still Wonder if Caleb Williams Pushes to Avoid Bears

Quarterback Caleb Williams is the expected No. 1 pick in April's NFL draft and has been for more than a calendar year. That said, whether he winds up with the Chicago Bears remains to be seen.

The Bears are still deciding whether to use the No. 1 pick on Williams or trade back for the second straight season, while some within the NFL are wondering if the USC product will push to avoid Chicago entirely.

Dan Graziano of ESPN reported there is speculation in NFL circles that Williams will "use his unique financial leverage to help determine which team selects him." Williams already racked up an estimated seven figures in NIL deals during his time at USC, which gives him more power than any draft prospect in recent memory.

The NFL's rookie wage scale all but eliminated contract negotiating power for young draft picks, but Williams may be able to steer himself where he wants to go by threatening to sit out the 2024 season.

The Washington Commanders just hired former USC assistant coach Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator, so Williams may express a preference for a non-Chicago location in the next couple of months.

That seems like an unlikely path, especially with the Bears building out an improved roster that finished 7-10 last season. Chicago landed the No. 1 pick thanks to the Carolina Panthers, who traded up with the Bears a year ago to take Bryce Young at the No. 1 slot.

Eli Manning was the last draft pick to force a trade at the No. 1 slot, refusing to play for the then-San Diego Chargers in 2004. The Chargers would take Manning at No. 1 but then trade him to the New York Giants in a deal that landed Philip Rivers in San Diego.

Williams is the No. 4 overall player in the 2024 class, according to the B/R Scouting Department. The latest B/R mock draft has the Commanders moving up one spot to select Williams, and the Bears taking UNC quarterback Drake Maye at No. 2.