There isn’t much drama about who will be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after the Justin Fields trade, but Robert Griffin III is trying to stir some up anyway.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams is expected to be the draft’s top selection after a standout college career. The 2022 Heisman winner has long been favored as the No. 1 pick, as he has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and other high-end starting quarterbacks.
Griffin believes Williams should use his high standing to his advantage and “pull an Eli Manning” to force his way out of Chicago.
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Griffin explained his opinion in a video clip posted to X (formerly Twitter).
“After everything that has happened with Justin Fields, can Caleb Williams really look at that and say, ‘This is an organization that has my best interest in mind, they’re going to develop me into the player that I want to become?’” Griffin wondered.
Caleb Williams should pull an Eli Manning and tell the Chicago Bears I AIN’T COMING. pic.twitter.com/g9Mx1cggsA
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 18, 2024
Eli Manning draft trade, explained
Manning, of course, famously forced his way out of San Diego in 2004, when the Chargers had the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. He didn’t want to play for the Chargers and let the team know it, as Griffin explained.
“Eli Manning had power in that 2004 draft,” Griffin detailed. “He let the Chargers know, ‘Don’t draft me, I don’t believe in the direction your organization is heading, and I don’t want to play there.’ He refused to play for them and even threatened to sit out the entire season if they drafted him. They still drafted him, and the look on his face when he was holding up the jersey said everything.”
The Chargers traded Manning to the Giants later on draft night for a deal that included fellow 2004 draftee Philip Rivers and several draft assets, including a 2005 first-rounder.
Griffin believes that the swap worked out well for Manning.
“Eli ended up winning two Super Bowls with the Giants and had a great career,” Griffin said.
The Chargers may not have gotten their top quarterback choice, but Rivers was a rock-solid franchise quarterback over his 16 seasons. He never made it to a Super Bowl, but he kept the Chargers competitive with his 123-101 record and helped them orchestrate a move to Los Angeles.
It’s safe to assume Griffin imagines a similar situation could mutually benefit Williams and the Bears should the gunslinger decide he doesn’t want to play in Chicago. That would likely involve Chicago trading down and getting one of the other top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft class, whether it’s Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye.
But that remains an unideal choice for Chicago, who still covets Williams.
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Why Robert Griffin III believes Caleb Williams should force his way out of Chicago
The Fields trade is a big part of why Griffin believes Williams should try to force the Bears’ hand, but it isn’t just about that singular deal. It’s more about the lack of stability currently in Chicago.
Griffin noted that coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles are facing a lot of pressure to win in 2024. If they don’t, that could cause a regime change in Chicago.
I thought Ryan Poles was having an amazing offseason up until this trade for Justin Fields. Because you trade Justin Fields so you can get some players back to help your team out this year. Because Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus, the head coach of the Chicago Bears, are in a lame-duck season. They have to win this year or they’re going to get fired.
Griffin is still impressed with the moves Chicago made to get D’Andre Swift and Keenan Allen on offense, among others. He simply believes that Williams would have a better chance to achieve continuity and find early success with another club, like his hometown team, Washington.
This doesn’t seem likely. Williams has spoken often about his desire to be the No. 1 overall pick, and the Bears aren’t likely to trade that after dealing Fields.
But if Williams isn’t sold on Chicago, Griffin believes that the USC product can control his own destiny and landing spot — to an extent.
“He does have power right now, and he should exercise it if he feels like Chicago is not where he should be,” Griffin said.
