Up until now players had no recourse but to sign with the team that drafted them. Only Eli, Elway and Bo Jackson refused to sign unless it was with a team of their choice. But now a player like Caleb, who is already wealthy from NIL, can afford to play hardball. New York could offer him a big stage and immense financial opportunities. Of course, this scenario is hypothetical but whether this year or in the near future a top NIL rich draftee is going to insist on where he wants to play and more and more will likely follow suit.
Adam Fox was drafted by Calgary and refused to sign so Calgary traded his rights to Carolina and he told them he would only sign with the Rangers. He was from Long Island and he and his family were life long Rangers fans. So two teams had no choice but to send a what turned out to be a future Norris Trophy winner to his preferred destination.
I think it's inevitable that already rich draft prospects are going to defy the NFL draft tradition and look to create their own destiny. Thoughts?
Sure the big apple marketing appeal.... But, we have no WR1, o line and suspect until proven otherwise and Singletary is a nice player but thats about it.
The whole draft system would be endangered by that kind of move. I don't think the draft system is essential to the NFL, and I'm fine with the players having a say in where they go — like people leaving college normally do — but it would be an earthquake for the league.
What if Caleb says he will only sign with the Giants and then Joe says he was never in the conversation and "Thanks, by no Thanks."
LOL....I would imagine the player/agent would want recipocracy.
Caleb would get good meida exposure in Chicago, Boston, Washington, DC as well.
Joe knows who he wants or who he doesn't want.
The whole draft system would be endangered by that kind of move. I don't think the draft system is essential to the NFL, and I'm fine with the players having a say in where they go — like people leaving college normally do — but it would be an earthquake for the league.
The Bears would have to trade him or lose his rights by the next draft and get nothing for the overall first pick.
Eli already did it.
Bo Jackson was the overall #1 pick and refused to sun with the Bucs and opted to play MLB instead.The Bucs got nothing. What makes it even worse is that the Buccaneers turned down a trade offer for Bo from the 49ers that included Ronnie Lott, Wendell Tyler, and TWO first round picks.
Sure, but that's not truly analogous. Playing pro baseball is a bit different than sitting at home, even sitting at home with the pile of money you've gotten from endorsements.
Quote:
Stay way away. A canker sore waiting to happen.
You mean like Eli Manning.
Bingo. The Bears are loading up. They will turn things around fast over there.
It happens all the time in the MLB draft if players have more college eligibility or are high school kids with college offers.
I wasn‘t thinking of visibility. A lot of people have pride in NY and want to play for the team they rooted for.
He is. Went to Gonzaga HS.
I'm surprised Team Caleb hasn't pushed for this. I don't like when players do this, but I would understand any player's reluctance to go to Chicago.
Quote:
don't need to be in NY anymore to have the visibility. Look at Mahomes and Kelce...every time you turn on the TV, one or both of them are on a commercial. I can't imagine they would have more exposure in NY than they do now in a small market.
I wasn‘t thinking of visibility. A lot of people have pride in NY and want to play for the team they rooted for.
More importantly, a lot of people want to be able to pick where they live.
Sure the big apple marketing appeal.... But, we have no WR1, o line and suspect until proven otherwise and Singletary is a nice player but thats about it.
I am dreading the fact that everyone but the Giants will see the problems with Caleb Williams and they will get stuck with an almost certain bust after giving up their future.
Guess he'd quit football.
Yes, that is an entirely serious scenario which you should fret over until draft day.
& I do think there are legit concerns about his mental makeup. Again, I could be 100% off base and he'll be the best Bears QB in most of our lifetimes. But if he flamed out in Chicago...I wouldn't be shocked.
Quote:
any day now...any day...
Eli already did it.
Yes I’m well aware. 20 years later we’re due for another.
Quote:
why would he want us over the other top 6 teams?
Sure the big apple marketing appeal.... But, we have no WR1, o line and suspect until proven otherwise and Singletary is a nice player but thats about it.
I am dreading the fact that everyone but the Giants will see the problems with Caleb Williams and they will get stuck with an almost certain bust after giving up their future.
Potential to be a bust? Sure. All NFL prospects have bust potential.
But calling the virtual lock to be the first overall player taken "an almost certain bust" is ludicrous.
Don't worry, you can rest easy. Bears have traded away Fields. They're not trading out of the top spot... and they're taking Caleb.