Why Top NFL Draft Picks Are Ditching Agents To Negotiate Their Own Deals

Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. aren't using NFLPA-certified agents. Is this a one-off coincidence or a sign of bigger things to come?

We often talk about how student-athletes earning money off their name, image, and likeness (NIL) has changed college sports. Some say for the better, others say for the worse. However, that’s only part of the equation, and we don’t spend nearly enough time discussing the impact that these policies can have on professional sports too.

Take Caleb Williams, for instance. Williams was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bears last week. The former Southern California quarterback will now sign a four-year deal (with a fifth-year team option) worth slightly less than $40 million, and the $25 million signing bonus will be wired into his bank account right after the ink dries.

The interesting part, though, is that Williams isn’t using an NFLPA-certified agent to negotiate the deal. Instead, Williams is being advised by his father, Carl Williams, who owns a gym in Maryland and will now be acting as his son’s business manager.

This isn’t necessarily a new concept. NFL agents charge 1% to 3% commission on deals, and many athletes have tried to save money by cutting them out of the process.