Greg Gabriel has been vocal about his belief that the Chicago Bears should not select quarterback Caleb Williams. Chicago Bears should not draft quarterback Caleb Williams.
Gabriel He worked as the Bears' college scouting director for nine years and also spent 16 years in the New York Giants scouting department. He had been working as an analyst for SB Nation’s Windy City Gridiron since 2022.
Although his experience is undeniable, when Gabriel shared his views on X, he faced resistance.
Gabriel stated, “I do not agree with taking CW for various reasons and if I was doing my former job the Bears wouldn’t take him.” He added, “It’s not about talent. I know the talent. It’s the rest of the BS.” Kevin Donalson, a pastor whose son played sports with Williams at Gonzaga College high school, challenged Gabriel’s assertion, and things got heated after that.
Greg Gabriel Calls Caleb Williams’ Friend a ‘Liar’ When Gabriel suggested there were off-the-field reasons to be concerned about Williams, Donalson chimed in. “I have known Caleb since he was an 8th grader,” Donalson wrote. “You are making up stuff. Absolutely 0 issues in high school. 0 issues in college. Teammates love him. He’s never gotten into any trouble but you claim ‘the rest of the bs’.”
In response — a response he later deleted — Gabriel wrote: “You’re a liar.” Screenshots live forever, though, and one X user captured the exchange before Gabriel deleted it:
Perhaps Gabriel realized he had gone too far and that's why he removed his response. Maybe he simply didn't want to continue the argument. In any case, he did not contribute anything further to the conversation, nor did he offer any examples of what he was referring to regarding Williams' behavior off the field.
Donalson then wondered if the money Williams had received from name, image and likeness (NIL) might be upsetting some folks. He also pointed out the fact that Williams has never been in trouble for any incidents on the field or off. “Maybe it’s NIL money that people don’t like but people calling him Johnny Manzel. Johnny had real Issues even in college. Arrested. Drunk. Caleb has had 0 issues like that,” Donalson noted.Caleb Williams Is Doing Things a Bit Differently
Gabriel has been critical of Williams on multiple occasions, including the young QB’s decision to pass on doing the medical exams at the scouting combine. Instead of doing medicals at the combine, Williams will only give medical examinations to the teams he’s meeting with, not all 32 teams in the league.
“The Combine started in January 1985 the week after Super Bowl XIX. It has been held every year since except 2021 because of Covid. Williams is the first player to refuse to take the medical,” said Gabriel. “There have been 39 Combines with well over 13,000 players attending and only 1 has refused to take the medical. Telling!!!” He added in a subsequent comment.
Athletes who join the NFL are seeking more control over their careers, and they are achieving it. Williams is leading a new group of athletes who are taking more charge of their futures. Even though there are no reports about any problems Williams has off the field, not even Gabriel can argue with what the QB has accomplished on it.
In 2022, Williams had a 333-500 record. In 2022, Williams threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, and also ran for 382 yards and 10 scores. Last season, Williams completed 68.6% of his passes for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions..
It is still unknown which team will select him, but it seems very likely that Williams will be chosen by the Bears at this point.
Former Bears executive Greg Gabriel labeled a pastor friend and longtime acquaintance of Caleb Williams as a 'liar' in a post that has since been deleted on X.
“The Combine started in January 1985 the week after Super Bowl XIX. It has been held every year since except 2021 because of Covid. Williams is the first player to refuse to take the medical,” Gabriel posted. “There have been 39 Combines with well over 13,000 players attending and only 1 has refused to take the medical. Telling!!!” He added in a subsequent comment.
Athletes entering the NFL are angling for more agency, and they’re getting it. Williams is at the forefront of a new generation of athletes who are taking more control over their careers. And while there are no reports detailing any issues Williams has off the field, not even Gabriel can dispute what the QB has done on it.
In 2022, Williams went 333-500 for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, also rushing for 382 yards and 10 scores. Last season, Williams completed 68.6% of his passes for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 5 picks.
It remains to be seen which team drafts him, but Williams-to-the-Bears feels like a near-certainty at this point.
