Why New Players Are Losing Ground in the Battle Against the Draft—And What It Means for the Future

Caleb Williams danced on the edge of rebellion but stepped back just in time. The tantalizing pull to reject the NFL draft’s ironclad order—the famously unyielding “sorting hat”—lingered in his mind, yet he bowed to the inevitable. You’ve got to wonder, though: in this era when players wield more influence than ever and the spectacle of the draft reaches worldwide audiences, could anyone truly defy the system? Since 1983, only two quarterbacks—John Elway and Eli Manning—have thrown down that gauntlet, both long before social media blew up draft night into a cultural juggernaut.

According to Seth Wickersham’s digging, Williams wasn’t thrilled about landing with the Bears. Alongside his father, Carl, he wrestled with options that might’ve rocked the football world. Ultimately, the risk of dragging his family into the media frenzy made him step back. And make no mistake, the media had already begun sharpening their pens over the mere whisper of his hesitation—imagine the maelstrom had he really taken a stand.

Now, all eyes are shifting toward Arch Manning. Could he be the next to challenge the draft’s sacred rites? For that, a perfect storm has to brew: he has to rise as the premier pick, face a team he’d rather avoid, and summon the guts to say “No”—maybe with a little strategic advice from the Manning dynasty itself. If Arch chooses to comply, it could signal an era where no one dares deny the draft’s power, despite its glaring flaws, as many continue to revere the process like it’s some untouchable honor. But if he pushes back? Well, that would shake things loose—big time.

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Caleb would have taken more than his fair share of heat, too. He’s already getting dragged by some in the media based on the fact that merely thinking about whether to refuse to play for the Bears came to light. If Williams had opted to buck the system, fans and media would have made him their new punching bag.Caleb Williams considered it. Ultimately, he didn’t do it.The real question moving forward is whether any player will push back against the sacred sorting-hat process known as the NFL draft.If the various planets line up perfectly, what will Arch do? Accept his fate with a dysfunctional team (like Archie did) or exert his leverage (like Eli did)? If Arch submits to the sorting hat, there might not ever be another who dares to resist the the NFL’s primary offseason tentpole — and invites widespread criticism from the many who have been brainwashed into thinking that having a promising career derailed by a gang that couldn’t draft-and-develop straight is somehow “an honor and a privilege.”Two quarterbacks have done it since 1983: John Elway and, 21 years later, Eli Manning. Both happened before the rise of social media and the unprecedented popularity of the draft, which has found another level (or two) since the NFL turned it into a traveling road show.

At this point, can anyone pull it off? The next test cause could be Arch Manning, given that his Uncle Eli pulled it off 21 years ago. First, Arch has to emerge as the top prospect in his draft class, whenever that may be. Second, a team for which he doesn’t want to play needs to have dibs on him. Third, Arch needs to be willing to say no — either on his own or under the cover of Uncle Eli or Uncle Peyton or his grandfather, Archie, or some combination of the three.Williams, based on Seth Wickersham’s reporting, didn’t want to play for the Bears. Williams and his father, Carl, considered all options. Ultimately, Caleb decided not to expose Carl to the criticism that would have come from making a public power play against the Bears.