Caleb Williams faces sharp criticism from Daniel Kelly.
Former NFL scout Daniel Kelly has never been one to shy away from controversial opinions, and his latest target is Caleb Williams, the USC quarterback widely projected as the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Kelly has doubled down on his belief that Williams is a guaranteed bust—a 100% lock to fail at the professional level.
This isn’t just a hot take; it’s a full-blown indictment. Kelly’s sharp critique feels less like analysis and more like a calculated dismantling of Williams’ NFL potential. And if you think this is just a one-off rant, think again. Kelly’s history shows he’s no stranger to bold claims, famously giving Will Levis a similar “bust” label ahead of the 2023 draft.
The video can be found here
In his article for First Round Mock, Kelly didn’t pull any punches. “I am pushing my chips up on the table with Caleb Williams. There is a 100% chance that the USC quarterback (QB) is a bust in the 2024 NFL Draft,” he wrote. Kelly went so far as to remove Williams from his draft board after the quarterback skipped throwing drills at the NFL Combine, a move Kelly views as a sign of poor commitment.
The former Jets scout assigned Williams a fourth-round grade based on his college film, calling it unworthy of the hype surrounding him. For Kelly, the Combine decision only solidified what he already believed: Williams isn’t built for the NFL.
It’s impossible not to draw parallels between Williams and Trevor Lawrence, another highly touted quarterback who faced immense scrutiny coming out of college. Lawrence weathered the pressure, proving himself as a leader and silencing critics in Jacksonville. Kelly’s assessment of Williams, however, doesn’t leave room for redemption. Unlike Lawrence, Williams is painted as someone who lacks the mindset needed to thrive in the NFL.
Kelly’s critique doesn’t stop with Williams’ game film. He’s raising serious concerns about the quarterback’s character. Pointing to Williams’ father reportedly pushing for ways around the NFL’s rookie wage scale, Kelly called it the biggest red flag he’s ever seen. Combine that with Williams’ decision to skip medical evaluations at the NFL Scouting Combine, and you have a pattern of behavior Kelly finds deeply troubling.
“The game is won or lost from the neck up,” Kelly emphasized, framing Williams as a potential organizational nightmare. He doesn’t just see a player with flaws—he sees someone who could threaten the stability of an NFL franchise.
Since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams has experienced a challenging introduction to the professional ranks. While his college career was nothing short of spectacular—amassing over 10,000 passing yards and 93 touchdowns in three seasons—his transition to the NFL has been far from seamless.
Through his first nine starts, Williams has led the Chicago Bears to a 4-5 record. His performance shows flashes of potential but also glaring weaknesses. He’s completed 60.5% of his passes for 1,785 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions. However, the most troubling stat is the 38 sacks he’s taken, the highest in the league, surpassing Texans rookie C.J. Stroud, who’s been sacked 34 times.
The pressure on Williams is mounting, both literally and figuratively. The offensive struggles led to the firing of coordinator Shane Waldron during a three-game losing streak, further amplifying scrutiny on the Bears’ rookie quarterback.
The NFL rumor mill is buzzing, and the Chicago Bears are at the center of it. According to Albert Breer, frustration within the organization is brewing as Williams hasn’t met the high expectations placed on him entering the season.
“There’s a ton of frustration, no question,” Breer said. “I think a lot of this stems back to Caleb Williams not being quite as ready as [the Bears] hoped he’d be when the season began.”
Now, whispers are circulating that Williams could be benched in favor of backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. While these rumors remain speculative, they highlight the Bears’ desperation to salvage their season. Bagent, who went undrafted after a record-breaking college career at Shepherd University, brings an intriguing profile, including a DII Heisman-equivalent Harlon Hill Trophy.
Despite the chatter, the Bears’ struggles as a team make it difficult to separate fact from fiction. With head coach Matt Eberflus firmly on the hot seat, Chicago will need to address both their quarterback situation and broader team issues to regain momentum. Whether Williams is part of the long-term solution or the team opts for a drastic change remains to be seen.
Image: © Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
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