The upcoming NFL Draft has sparked intense speculation about where top prospect Caleb Williams might end up as the Chicago Bears are considering selecting him as the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft this year. Amidst the hype, Former NFL wide receiver turned analyst, Keyshawn Johnson, has ignited discussion with his recent remarks concerning Williams and the potential mirroring of Eli Manning’s draft day strategy.

As the speculation surrounding Williams’ draft fate continues to mount, Johnson’s warnings serve as a timely reminder of the high stakes involved in navigating the NFL landscape. Will Williams follow Johnson’s advice or follow RG3’s advice to pull an Eli Manning?

Keyshawn Johnson’s Warning to Caleb Williams

Keyshawn Johnson has raised eyebrows with his comments in an interview. Johnson emphasized that Williams doesn’t have the same family legacy in the NFL as Archie Manning and his sons, Peyton and Eli. Keyshawn said, “He can pull a Manning, but he ain’t the Mannings.” He further added, “he’s not, his dad ain’t Archie, and his brother ain’t Peyton. He could try it but in the National Football League, the one thing that the 32 owners are not going to allow you to do is Bully them you got to think about it”

He argues that while the Mannings might have had the influence to sway their draft fate, Williams lacks similar leverage. The message is clear: challenging the authority of NFL team owners is a risky move, especially for a young player like Williams.

Drawing comparisons to Manning’s ultimatum to the San Diego Chargers in 2004, Johnson suggests that such tactics may not work out as well for Williams. While Manning’s strategy led to a trade to the New York Giants, Johnson believes Williams may not find the same success, given the evolving dynamics in the modern NFL. In contrast to Johnson’s warnings, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, encouraged Williams to follow in Manning’s footsteps and express his preferences about his draft destination.

RG3 urges Williams to embrace Manning’s bold strategy

Griffin draws comparisons between Williams potentially joining the Bears and his own experiences with Washington, suggesting that the right organizational fit and support are crucial for a young quarterback’s success. RG3 said, “Caleb Williams should pull an Eli Manning and demand that the Chicago Bears do not draft him No. 1 overall”.

RG3 dre­w a comparison to Eli Manning’s famous draft tactic in 2004, where he succe­ssfully avoided playing for the San Diego Charge­rs. RG3 urged Justin Fields to stand firm against joining the Chicago Be­ars organization if he didn’t want to join. Citing concerns over the te­am’s history and how they’ve handled pre­vious quarterbacks. However, RG3’s take has gotten some flak from various entities, including Michael Lombardi and Pat McAfee.

Despite the differing views, Williams himself has expressed excitement about the possibility of playing for the Bears or any other team that chooses him in the draft. His willingness to embrace any opportunity reflects his confidence in his skills and his readiness to face the challenges ahead.

Read more: Caleb Williams Quashes Doubts Around His “Problematic” Personality by Setting Expectations Straight Heading Into NFL