No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams signing rookie contract with Bears
The first overall pick is prepared to sign the contract in time for training camp.
Caleb Williams has agreed to a four-year, $39.49 million fully guaranteed deal with the Chicago Bears, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, per a source. Williams’ rookie contract includes a $25.5 million signing bonus, per Rapoport.
Williams’ fellow draftee and chosen running mate, receiver Rome Odunze, also agreed to his four-year, $22.7 million fully guaranteed rookie deal that includes a $13.3 million signing bonus, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per a source.
In April’s draft, Williams emerged as the unanimous top pick following a highly successful stint at USC. In 2022, he had an outstanding sophomore year, securing the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award.
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Williams began his career at Oklahoma, but followed coach Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles following Riley’s decision to leave the Sooners for the Trojans in late 2021. Upon arriving at USC, Williams flourished, throwing for 4,537 yards and a 42-5 touchdown-interception ratio en route to winning college football’s top award. His follow-up campaign didn’t produce the same gaudy totals, but ultimately didn’t hurt his draft stock, leading the Bears to trade away former first-rounder Justin Fields and commit to a future with Williams as the centerpiece.
Odunze’s rise to fame coincided with Washington’s emergence in 2023, after a successful 2022 season where he had 75 catches, 1,145 yards, and seven touchdowns. He led the Huskies’ skilled receiving team with 92 receptions, 1,640 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Chicago, with two top-nine selections to their credit, opted to pair their selected quarterback with Odunze, an exceptional pass-catching talent. This marked a new direction for the future of the Bears.
Having Williams and Odunze under contract along with a fruitful offseason, the Bears are set to commence their most hopeful season in a long while.
