The Green Bay Packers Star throw an astonished comments on Caleb Williams’ reports of rampant demand for NFL ownership
2 September 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) reacts during the second half against the Nevada Wolf Pack on United Airlines Field at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. Mandatory credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers star weighed in on the possibility of an NFL owner giving the reported partial ownership of Caleb Williams to whichever team takes him in the 2024 NFL Draft.
According to a July report from Mike Florio of NBC Sports, Williams has the following requests for potential agents this summer:
“Representatives for USC quarterback Caleb Williams have informed potential agents that Williams wants to own a partial team that will select him in 2024 when he declares for the draft, according to multiple sources.”
September 23, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) during pregame warmups before playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
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The report resurfaced on social media after USC’s loss to Notre Dame on Saturday. Williams threw three interceptions in the first half and was outscored 48-20. Many NFL fans scoffed at Williams’ claim that he belonged in the league after the worst performance of his college career.
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November 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (69) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
NFL pundit Dov Kleiman tweeted about the report Tuesday night. He asked if an NFL player could possibly negotiate ownership terms as part of the contract.
Packers starting left tackle David Bakhtiari answered Kleiman’s question. Bakhtiari said it depends on how desperate the owner is to win.
Does NIL money change the pay scale of fresher? With no money in college sports, it may come sooner rather than later. The NFL implemented a rookie salary scale in 2011 to artificially limit the league’s rookie market. The rule came as part of a collective bargaining agreement that only covered then-NFL players, stripping future players of their rights.
Green Bay Packers NFL Draft
30 September 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) tackles USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) after a game at Folsom Field. Mandatory credit: John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports
With the NIL, the top prospect in the draft could theoretically get more money to stay in college than an NFL team could offer through the starting salary scale. That could be a problem for a team that generally picks first when a coveted prospect has a year left.
A prospect can opt out of the draft to make more money in college, leaving the NFL without a top prospect and ensuring the player goes to a league rival in the next draft. A desperate owner may find a way to give a prospect more money than the rookie’s salary will allow. And fractional ownership can be a ticket to a potential business.
Will this happen to Williams? Maybe, but unlikely in the current political climate. Owners may not want to give more power to players by giving partial ownership to players as part of contract negotiations.
But then again, owners will be more desperate next spring than this fall.
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