Welcome to our first week of Top News! This segment covers the top news from its respective week, with only the top story from each sport. Sports that will be covered are NHL, NBA, MLB, UFC, NFL and NCAA.
NFL
The NFL season just recently wrapped up, which means it’s NFL Draft time. The combine is a couple days away starting next Monday February 26th, and there’s big news regarding the consensus first overall pick.
Caleb Williams, former USC and Oklahoma quarterback has announced he will be entering the NFL without an agent. This goes against all norms in the NFL, but then again, Williams has gone against a number of norms.
Williams is the same person who just a few months ago, stated he wants the team that drafts him to grant him partial ownership of the team. While I personally think that is a bit extreme, it is something that has never before been an option.
So what does Williams entering the NFL without an agent mean for him, his draft stock, and for NFL teams. For him, immediately it grants him financial flexibility and keeps him out of a long term contract with an agent.
As far as his draft stock, I personally don’t think it will affect it. Williams is a generational talent and I think it will be very hard for the Bears (or whoever may have the pick come Draft day) to pass him up.
Now for NFL teams, I do think this will present a bit of a headache. They will not be dealing with an agent, who is familiar with contract negotiations and their typical formatting. Instead, it is a player, who obviously already feels he is entitled to substantial compensation for his efforts.
The reason I feel this is the most important news coming out of the NFL this week is that this changes the future of all top recruits entering the draft. If things pan out for Williams, future number one prospects, and maybe even just any prospects, may try and traverse the NFL journey on their own.
