02 March 2024 , 06:00
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Caleb Williams, who is expected to be the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has decided not to take medical exams at the NFL Combine. The former USC quarterback wants to keep his medical records private and only share them with the teams he will work with on his own.
This is seemingly the first time a player attending the combine has chosen not to share their medical records with all the teams. Usually, doctors from all over the league conduct exams and ask similar questions to all players on the scene in Indianapolis, with the information then given to teams for evaluation.
"I'll be doing the medical stuff, just not here in Indy," Williams told reporters this week. "I'll be doing it at the team interviews. Not 32 teams can draft me, only one can. And so the teams that I go to for my visit, those teams will have the medical, and that'll be it." Williams is also unusual in that he hasn't yet hired a traditional agent
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Still, Williams reportedly plans to share his medical records with NFL teams at the top of the draft order. Reports suggest he is expected to work out with the Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, New York Jets and New York Giants, all of whom have top-15 picks in the draft.
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This week, Williams reduced speculation he didn't want to play for the Bears, citing their great history as an organisation. He likes aspects of the current team, too, including their strong defense and standout receivers such as D.J. Moore. When asked where he wants to go in the draft, Williams said, "Whoever picks first."
When reporters asked Williams if he was scared to compete with the best quarterbacks because he didn't do the medical exams, he responded, "No. Not doing things. It was the decision by me and my team, my family and it comes down to that."
Caleb Williams will not provide medicals or throw the ball during the NFL Combine (Getty Images)He's decided not to do the normal fitness tests at the combine from February 29 to March 3. Quarterbacks will do their tests on March 2, but other players like EDGE rushers, linebackers, and defensive tackles have already done theirs.
Williams chose not to throw the football at the combine. He's going to show his other skills on his NFL Pro Day workout, set for March 27th and 28th.
In recent drafts, only Kenny Pickett threw during the combine. "I didn't feel the need to go out and throw," Williams explained. "I played around 30 something games I believe. Go ahead and go watch real live ball with me and see how I am as a competitor."