Caleb Williams Speaks on Bears Contract Drama as Camp Approaches

Chicago Bears fans are buzzing because meaningful football is right around the corner. The Bears' participation in this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game means an early start to training camp with rookie and veteran players alike set to report this Friday.

As expected, the Chicago fanbase can't wait to see this year's rookie class in their first-ever training camp, including 2024 No. 1 overall selection Caleb Williams. While the former USC quarterback has all the tools to become a household name at the NFL level, there's one glaring concern about him: he's yet to sign his rookie contract.

The 22-year-old is one of a handful of this year's first-round rookies who've yet to put pen to paper. With concerns mounting, Williams finally addressed the contract controversy over the weekend.

Bears News: Caleb Williams Addresses Rookie Contract Drama

Williams spoke about his unsigned rookie contract when he was in town for the inaugural event of his charity — the Caleb Cares Foundation — on Saturday, per Chicago Tribune's Colleen Kane. The ex-Trojan QB said that he's "not handling" contract discussions and that he's leaving the situation up to his legal team and Bears management.

Even though Williams' comments likely aren't what Bears fans hoped to hear, there is a silver lining. He told reporters that he's "excited" to get back to practice and work with his teammates, meaning it doesn't sound like he's planning a contract holdout.

"I’m really happy to be back in Chicago and to get [practice] going. We’re only about three weeks away [from the preseason]."

- Caleb Williams

Williams doesn't have an NFLPA-linked agent, which is likely playing a role in the lengthy process. Having said that, 2023 first-overall selection Bryce Young didn't sign his rookie contract with the Bears until July 21 of last year, so it isn't as if it's an unprecedented situation.

As of July 15, five 2024 first-round selections have yet to sign their rookie contracts. Interestingly enough, Williams isn't the only Bear who's failed to do so as Chicago fans are still waiting for ninth-overall pick Rome Odunze to put pen to paper. Time will tell if one of Odunze or Williams signing their contract will lead to a domino effect where the other makes things official shortly after.

The good news is that Williams' outlook is bright regardless of when he signs his rookie contract, which is reported to be in the neighborhood of $39.5 million. He's already FanDuel Sportsbook's clear-cut favorite to be named the 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year, sitting at +140 odds ahead of training camp while Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels holds the next best odds at +650.

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