NFL Coach Says Caleb Williams Doesn't Have Any 'Red Flags' Amid Bears, Draft Rumors

USC quarterback Caleb Williams has become a bit of a polarizing figure ahead of April's NFL draft, at least within the specific context of whether he should be the top overall player selected.

That was magnified when he chose to skip the NFL Scouting Combine tests, drills and medical evaluations, and in some circles, something of a "diva" narrative is forming. But at least one veteran NFL coach isn't worried about him at the next level, as he told The Athletic's Bruce Feldman:

"Do I think there are red flags? No. Some guys roll their eyes at what he paints on his fingernails. That's not stuff you'd expect from an NFL quarterback, but he's a super talented kid who put a program on his back, and he knows a lot of people are leaning on him. That's a lot. On the field, you'd like to see him take the easy stuff when it's there and make smarter decisions, but he's still very young, and I just think he's too good to pass up."

All Williams did in his three college seasons was win the Heisman Trophy in 2022, throw for 10,082 yards, 93 touchdowns and 14 interceptions and complete 66.9 percent of his passes. He at times suffers from "big play or bust" syndrome, but he also has that rare and special ability to extend plays and hit on the big shots down the field.

At the NFL level—with better offensive line play, more weapons in the passing game and advanced coaching—the hope is that he'll learn to take his check-downs and pick his spots a bit better. But it's hard to teach his feel for the game and natural tools, which is why he's the frontrunner to be the top overall pick in the first place.