Caleb Williams (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams have yet to finalize his rookie contract with training camp approaching.
Chicago used the first overall pick of 2024 on Caleb Williams, a move that became obvious after they traded former starter and 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaking at his Caleb Cares Foundation event, Williams was asked about his rookie contract situation. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner made it clear that he wasn’t interested in discussing his contract status, per Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune:
“I’m not handling that (contract situation). My lawyers and attorney and everybody, the head of the Bears, everybody up there up top is handling that. That’s not my position that I’m handling.”
The first two quarterbacks taken after Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, have signed their rookie deals with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, respectively.
Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) have also signed their rookie deals. Among all six QBs taken in the first round, only Williams and JJ McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) have yet to put the pen to the paper.
Here is an example of Caleb Williams running the play he mentioned as his one pass play for a whole game on Hard Knocks
pic.twitter.com/jbe1HtdtYU— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) July 11, 2024
But there’s little reason for Bears fans to be worried about the lack of a completed contract for Williams. Some rookie deals take longer than others, but both sides will surely want this done ahead of Week 1.
Assuming his rookie deal is completed by then, Caleb Williams will make his NFL debut at Soldier Field in a Week 1 home contest against the Tennessee Titans.
Bears Have Put Caleb Williams In A Spot To Succeed Right Away
The Bears have done their job in making sure that Williams will make a smooth transition over to the NFL. Before using the No. 1 pick on him, GM Ryan Poles also acquired Pro Bowl wideout Keenan Allen via trade with the Los Angeles Chargers and signed former 1,000-yard rusher D’Andre Swift in free agency.
Chicago also used the No. 9 pick on prized Washington WR Rome Odunze, giving Williams yet another dynamic playmaker to complement Allen, Swift, Cole Kmet and superstar DJ Moore.
