Chicago Bears’ Rookie Quarterback Caleb Williams Agrees to Terms on Four-Year, $39 Million Deal
The Chicago Bears’ rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year, $39 million deal, according to sources. The contract includes a $25.5 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option, making it fully guaranteed.
Williams, 22, was the projected No. 1 pick coming into the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Bears did not disappoint, taking him first overall following a great season at USC. The start of training camp, which began on July 16, is not particularly late for the Bears to still be signing their draftees, even a highly drafted quarterback like Williams.
In fact, other top picks have signed their rookie deals at a similar time. Baker Mayfield signed his deal with the Cleveland Browns on July 24, 2018, while Joe Burrow signed his deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on July 28, 2020. Cam Newton, way back in 2011, signed his rookie deal with the Carolina Panthers on July 29.
Rookie report day is a great time to get deals done, with all the new players flooding in for their first taste of NFL life. Earlier on Tuesday, the Bears also locked down their No. 9 pick, wide receiver Rome Odunze, who agreed to a four-year, $22.7 million contract.
Just a few hours later, before tongues could start wagging too much, the Bears and Williams finally agreed to terms. Now the entire rookie class is under contract, and the Bears can get down to the business at hand: actual football.
