Caleb Williams Doesn’t Speak To Media To Begin Chicago Bears OTAs

Former USC Trojans and current Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams did not speak to the media after Bears' OTA practice on Wednesday. A negative report surrounding Williams and the Bears came out last week.
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams arrives at a press conference introducing new head coach Ben Johnson at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams arrives at a press conference introducing new head coach Ben Johnson at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

Former USC Trojans and current Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was not available to the media after the Bears OTA practice on Wednesday. It is unclear exactly why Williams decided not to speak to the media, but there is speculation is could be due to the Seth Wickersham report on ESPN last week. 

Seth Wickersham is expected to publish a book called American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback in September of this year. ESPN posted an article last week based on the reporting from Wickersham, where Williams and the Bears were highlighted. 

The report did not make either Williams or the Bears look good and that will be something Williams will have to answer on the next time he is in front of a microphone. 

Caleb Williams Doesn’t Speak To Media After Wednesday OTA Practice

Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA;  Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) prior to the game against the Green Ba
Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears' OTA practices have gotten underway this week. Many Bears players and coaches will be speaking to the media after practices. Williams hasn’t thus far. A question that Williams will almost assuredly be asked when he does is about the Wickersham report. 

Whether he waits or talks to the media at the next available, Williams will be asked some uncomfortable questions that fans and people around the league are dying to know the answer to. 

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The Seth Wickersham Report

Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in action during the game against the Housto
Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in action during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Seth Wickersham report that came out last week was that prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams and his father did not want the Bears to draft him. Caleb had meeting with the Minnesota Vikings that went very well according to the report and Williams wanted the Vikings to snag him. 

The Bears were not about to let a division rival take who they viewed as a franchise quarterback from them, so the Bears drafted Williams anyways. It was a rough rookie season for Williams and the Bears. What everyone saw was the on field product; a 5-12 team that fired their coach and offensive coordinator midseason and allowed Williams to be sacked a league high 68 times. The 68 sacks Williams took was the third most sacks even taken by a single quarterback in one season. 

Behind the scenes, it wasn’t pretty either. According to the report, Williams was watching film by himself without any instructions from coaches. This is unfathomable, especially considering this is a rookie quarterback who the Bears just had drafted No. 1 overall. 

The Bears hired coach Ben Johnson earlier this offseason and he will look to completely turn the page and begin a new era of Chicago Bears football with Williams leading the way. Ben Johnson was previously the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2022 through 2024, being the brains behind their high powered offense, and leading them to back to back NFC North Division titles.


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Cory Pappas
CORY PAPPAS

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.

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