Big Caleb Williams Contract Update Emerges Before Bears Camp
By Jovan Alford
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Rookies officially report on Tuesday for Chicago Bears training camp and all eyes are on first pick Caleb Williams. Williams is considered the team’s next franchise quarterback after Chicago moved on from Justin Fields earlier this offseason.
However, Williams has yet to sign his four-year rookie contract, which has some Bears fans slightly concerned. The rookie quarterback was asked about the contract negotiations over the weekend and told reporters he isn’t handling it.
Williams reportedly didn’t sign with an NFLPA-certified agent, which means the Bears cannot negotiate with anyone but the rookie quarterback, per Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. But the Bears reportedly told the league that they haven’t been talking to any third parties, per an NFL spokesperson.
To no one’s surprise, this caused a lot of confusion as Bears fans have wondered if the rookie quarterback will be at Halas Hall for the start of camp after being there for rookie minicamp and OTAs.
The latest reporting out of the Windy City suggests good news is on the horizon for Williams and the Bears.
On Monday’s NFL Live, ESPN’s Dan Graziano said there’s nothing to worry about with Williams and his contract situation as “the Bears believe they’ll get something done.”
“No concern, no drama, making progress,” Graziano said (h/t Alyssa Barbieri of Bears Wire). “He doesn’t have an agent, I think that probably slows things down a little bit. But the Bears believe that they’ll get this done, and there won’t be any disruption.”
Caleb Williams has yet to sign his 4-year rookie contract 👀 @DanGrazianoESPN with the latest update ✍️ pic.twitter.com/cZtsIa56SV
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 15, 2024
If this is the case, it's a matter of when and not if Williams will sign his rookie deal. In addition to Williams, the Bears also working on signing rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze to his standard contract.
There hasn’t been much to report about Odunze’s contract situation, which is likely a good sign for both parties. The Bears hope to get both guys signed soon, as they will play a huge part on this team this season and the foreseeable future.
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