All that remains for the Chicago Bears to avoid business-side drama before training camp starts is a contract for Caleb Williams.
The team announced Tuesday it has signed wide receiver Rome Odunze, the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft, and a source confirmed it’s a four-year contract with a club option for 2028. Yet to be finalized is a deal with No. 1 pick Williams, who is self-represented as he did not hire an NFLPA-certified agent.
The Bears have been operating as if there won’t be any issues completing a contract with Williams, and at this point it’s fair to assume that remains the case. Rookies were due to report to Halas Hall for training camp Tuesday. Veterans report Friday with the first practice Saturday.
There’s ample buzz around the Bears after an eventful offseason, and the last thing they want as HBO’s “Hard Knocks” documents the start of training camp is for Williams not to be under contract or on the field. Williams, meanwhile, will want every opportunity to prepare for his anticipated debut. All of that makes it reasonable to believe a deal will happen soon.
Odunze’s four-year contract is expected to be worth $22,724,500 with a $13,346,908 signing bonus. The slotted value of a four-year contract for Williams is $39,486,057 with a $25,537,132 signing bonus.
Slotted values for rookie contracts make it unusual to have major problems getting deals completed. A lot of players entering the NFL now have earned enough NIL money in college that they don’t feel rushed to sign a first contract and receive the signing bonus.
Of course, the Bears didn’t expect a hiccup in 2018 when they drafted linebacker Roquan Smith at No. 8. The sides wound up having a nearly three-week staredown before his rookie contract was completed.
