Caleb Williams secured a hefty $39 million guaranteed in his four-year rookie deal with the Chicago Bears, but the No. 1 NFL Draft pick didn’t get everything on his wish list.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Bears turned down Williams’ request to include a clause in his contract that would prevent the team from using the franchise tag on him in the future.
While it’s common for veteran stars, like Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, to have such stipulations, it’s quite rare for a rookie to make this demand. However, Williams is not your average rookie. Hailing from Washington D.C., he negotiated his contract through his attorneys instead of an NFLPA-certified agent.
By denying this guarantee, the Bears maintain their leverage for the 2028 season, when Williams could become a restricted free agent, and the 2029 offseason, when he could hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
Additionally, the Bears have a fifth-year option for 2028, giving them several options to retain the former USC star and Heisman winner as he enters his prime years.
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This week, the Bears not only signed the No. 1 pick but also inked a deal with the No. 9 pick, Rome Odunze. Odunze’s contract is fully guaranteed and reportedly worth $22.7 million.
Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, is regarded as a generational talent. The Bears are banking on him to fill the franchise quarterback role that Chicago has long desired. During his college career, Williams put up impressive numbers, throwing 93 touchdown passes against just 14 interceptions across three seasons at Oklahoma and USC. He followed coach Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to USC, where he threw for 72 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions in two seasons with the Trojans.
In Chicago, Williams will have a strong supporting cast, including veteran playmakers DJ Moore and six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen, along with Odunze, who excelled at Washington. Odunze had a standout college career, leading the nation with a school-record 1,640 receiving yards last year and helping Washington reach the national championship game, where they fell to Michigan. He accumulated 3,272 receiving yards and 24 touchdown receptions over his four seasons with the Huskies.
The Bears’ rookies were scheduled to report for training camp on Tuesday, with veterans arriving on Friday, and the first practice set for Saturday. Chicago, which has had only three playoff appearances since their 2006 Super Bowl run, is eager to turn the corner.
The team went 10-24 in two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus but showed improvement by finishing 7-10 last season. With Williams and Odunze onboard, the Bears are hopeful about becoming a playoff contender again.
