Revealed: How Caleb Williams’ Father Nearly Stopped Him from Joining Jonathan Owens on the Chicago Bears
In a stunning twist that nearly altered the trajectory of one of the NFL’s most talked-about rookie campaigns, it has now been revealed that Caleb Williams’ path to the Chicago Bears came dangerously close to being derailed — not by team executives, rival scouts, or injury setbacks, but by his own father. Yes, Carl Williams, the outspoken and heavily involved parent of the former USC quarterback, reportedly had serious reservations about his son joining the Bears — and at one point, even tried to push him away from becoming the No. 1 overall pick and suiting up alongside veteran safety Jonathan Owens in the Windy City.
As the NFL world begins to understand the behind-the-scenes drama that nearly shook the very foundation of the 2025 draft, a clearer picture is emerging: this wasn’t just a standard father-son disagreement. It was a philosophical and strategic divergence that stemmed from deeper concerns about legacy, stability, and long-term career viability.
The Weight of Greatness
Caleb Williams entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a weight few prospects have carried. A Heisman Trophy winner. A generational talent. The face of NIL. A once-in-a-decade quarterback with both jaw-dropping highlights and leadership acumen. Many expected him to go first overall. Yet, for Carl Williams, the issue wasn’t talent — it was destination.
For Carl, the Chicago Bears didn’t represent opportunity. They represented risk. Years of quarterback instability, front-office turnover, and a media market known to chew up and spit out its young stars were red flags for a father who had meticulously curated every step of his son’s rise.
According to sources close to the Williams family, Carl had been “deeply troubled” by what he called the Bears’ “historical dysfunction.” In his words, “You don’t put a diamond in a landfill.”
But Caleb, ever the competitor and confident in his abilities, saw things differently. He saw a fresh beginning. A revamped organization. The additions of offensive firepower, a rebuilt offensive line, and a defense anchored by talents like Tremaine Edmunds and a secondary including the hard-hitting Jonathan Owens.
The Owens Factor
Ironically, one of the people who played an unexpected role in soothing concerns was none other than Jonathan Owens — the veteran safety and husband of Olympic legend Simone Biles. Though they played on opposite sides of the ball, Owens and Williams had forged a relationship during team visits and offseason workouts. Owens, a vocal leader in the locker room, had reached out to Caleb personally as the draft neared.
“Jonathan told him, ‘You’re not walking into a circus — you’re walking into a team that’s ready to win,’” a source within the Bears organization said. “And that meant something coming from a respected veteran like him.”
Owens’ words held weight not just with Caleb, but — surprisingly — with Carl. In an emotional meeting held weeks before the draft, Owens reportedly sat down with both Caleb and Carl to discuss the vision of the new-look Bears under head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles.
“He wasn’t trying to sell them anything fake,” said a team staffer who witnessed the meeting. “He just told the truth: things are changing in Chicago, and Caleb could be the final piece.”
A Family Tug-of-War
Still, the road to draft day was not without its turbulence. Carl Williams had explored every possible avenue to steer Caleb elsewhere. Reports have since surfaced that Carl had conversations with teams drafting second and third — including the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots — about the possibility of engineering a slide or a trade. There were even whispers of Caleb pulling an “Eli Manning” and refusing to play for the Bears, though Caleb himself shot down such speculation publicly.
Privately, though, the strain was real.
“There were days when Caleb and his dad weren’t talking,” a family friend revealed. “It wasn’t just business — this was personal. Carl believed he was protecting his son. Caleb believed he was ready to lead.”
Ultimately, it was Caleb’s maturity — and his unwavering belief in himself — that won the day.
“He told his dad, ‘I have to walk my own path,’” the friend said. “And Carl, to his credit, respected that.”
The Turning Point
The moment of resolution reportedly came during a family meeting just three days before the draft. With advisors, agents, and close family members present, Caleb laid out his vision for not just surviving in Chicago — but thriving.
“He came in with a plan,” said one advisor. “He talked about how DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze could help him. How playing with guys like Jonathan Owens and Jaquan Brisker would give him a championship-caliber defense. How the city of Chicago wasn’t a liability — it was a challenge.”
Carl, visibly emotional, reportedly stood up and told his son: “Then go be the man you were born to be.”
Draft Night Drama
When the Bears officially selected Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, few watching on television knew the emotional gauntlet the family had just passed through. Caleb, calm and collected, hugged his mom, his agents, and eventually, his father.
Carl smiled. He clapped. But those close to the family say the moment was bittersweet.
“He had to let go,” one family source explained. “He had to trust that Caleb was ready to do this on his own.”
Since that moment, Carl has remained supportive, though he has taken a step back from the spotlight — a notable shift for someone once known as the architect of Caleb’s meteoric rise.
A New Era in Chicago
The Caleb Williams era is now officially underway in Chicago, and the early signs are promising. From the moment he stepped onto the practice field at rookie minicamp, coaches raved about his command, leadership, and poise. The chemistry with wideouts like Odunze and Moore has been instant. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has reportedly been thrilled with Caleb’s grasp of the playbook.
And perhaps most notably, Caleb has continued to build relationships with veterans like Owens.
“He’s hungry,” Owens said during OTAs. “He listens. He asks the right questions. But he’s also not scared to speak up. That’s rare for a rookie quarterback.”
Owens added that their off-field conversations have continued — this time about leadership, adversity, and community impact.
“We’ve talked a lot about what it means to represent Chicago — not just the jersey, but the people. Caleb gets it. And he wants to be more than just the quarterback. He wants to be the face of something bigger.”
Lessons From the Past, Eyes on the Future
Carl Williams may have tried to pump the brakes, but in hindsight, even he now sees the bigger picture.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Carl acknowledged his fears.
“I was scared,” he admitted. “Scared of seeing my son go somewhere and not be supported. Not be protected. I’ve seen careers ruined because of bad fits. But Caleb made me see that this wasn’t about fear. It was about faith.”
That faith is already being rewarded. With a talented roster, a revitalized coaching staff, and a quarterback with both swagger and substance, the Bears suddenly look like a team with direction — and potentially, destiny.
Conclusion: A Legacy In the Making
The story of how Caleb Williams almost didn’t become a Chicago Bear is one filled with tension, love, doubt, and ultimately, growth. It’s a story that goes beyond football — about a young man coming into his own, and a father learning to let go while still standing by his son’s side.
And now, alongside teammates like Jonathan Owens — who helped calm the storm when few others could — Caleb is writing a new chapter in the long and complicated history of Bears football.
This chapter, however, feels different. It feels like the beginning of something great.
From near-draft chaos to locker room unity, from family disagreements to shared dreams, Caleb Williams’ journey to Chicago was anything but smooth. But perhaps it’s that very journey — tested and tempered — that will ultimately define his greatness.