Who is Caleb Williams' dad? Meet Carl Williams, the 'QB Dad' doubling as agent, business manager

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams entered the NFL with the weight of extreme expectations after a dominant career at USC, which included a Heisman Trophy. Between Williams' rocket of an arm and Chicago's long history of quarterback futility, Bears fans put all of their hopes in the Washington D.C.-born signal-caller.

Before Bears fans put their faith in Williams, he developed his share of detractors while reaching stardom at USC. While some of the criticism started on the field, other complaints can be traced to Williams' dad.

Williams' father also operates as his business manager, and he's made some overtures that have rubbed fans the wrong way at times.

Here's what you need to know about Williams' dad and his role in the Bears QB's quarterback decisions.

Who is Caleb Williams' dad?

Williams' father, Carl Williams, played football at Oklahoma State and now owns a gym and training center called Athletic Republic Capitol Region, which is located in Maryland.

Carl is a busy man, as he also runs his son's business dealings. With Caleb's rise to national prominence and now the NFL, that's a significant role to play. 

Some of the supposed red flags surrounding Caleb are either made up or are otherwise non-factors for NFL teams. But his father's oversight of his son's career might actually ruffle feathers.

Conflicting reports circulated before the 2024 draft regarding Caleb's interest in a potential ownership stake with the team that drafts him. While initial reports were denied, The Athletic reported in February that the rumors of such a request were accurate — and originated from his father.

Carl broached teams about a potential ownership stake long before he knew which one would land the No. 1 pick, but that kind of deal isn't allowed for NFL players. According to a 2025 book, Carl also met with lawyers to try to find a way around his son being drafted by the Bears, saying, "Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die."

Carl initially raised eyebrows in 2023 when he indicated his son could return to USC if the right team didn't have the top pick. "The system is completely backwards," Carl Williams told GQ, making the case that the worst team shouldn't get the No. 1 pick.

BENDER: The legendary high school game that launched Caleb Williams' career

When push came to shove, Williams still declared for the draft and played for the Bears without issue.

Caleb confirmed to ESPN in February 2024 that he had no problem going to the Bears, telling the outlet that he would be "excited" to go to Chicago and praising the state of the organization's roster.

Who is Caleb Williams' agent?

Williams' dad doesn't seem more involved than most parents simply because he wants to be. Carl Williams is also his son's de facto agent and business manager.

Williams doesn't technically have an agent — his father isn't registered as one — but Carl Williams essentially acts as an agent for his son.

Fortunately for the Bears, rookie contracts are fairly straightforward under the current system and did not cause any trouble during negotiations in 2024. The first true test of this unorthodox chain of command might come in 2027, when Williams will first be eligible for a long-term extension. Lamar Jackson finalized a massive extension without an agent in 2023, but not before a long, winding saga that included a trade request. 

If Williams is worth a mega extension at any point, that would be a good problem for the Bears to have. Williams' success on the field might determine how much the franchise will tolerate requests from Williams' father.

MORE: Caleb Williams' NFL ownership ambitions, explained

Caleb Williams family tree

• Carl Williams, father
• Dayne Price, mother
• Valery Orellana, girlfriend

Williams doesn't have any known siblings, but both of his parents have been in the spotlight. His father has inserted himself into the spotlight by managing the business side of his son's football career, while his mother, Dayne Price, received attention when she consoled her emotional son after USC's November loss to Washington.

Williams' girlfriend, Valery Orellana, also recently entered the limelight when the No. 1 pick posted a photo of her on social media. 

Williams was born and raised in the Washington D.C. area and started his college career at Oklahoma before following coach Lincoln Riley to USC. The Commanders were just one pick away from being in position to bring Williams back home, but Chicago became his new home in 2024.