The No. 1 overall pick is ready to sign on the dotted line in time for camp.
Caleb Williams has agreed to a four-year, $39.49 million fully guaranteed deal with the Chicago Bears, 国产外流网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, 国产外流网Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per a source.
Williams became the consensus top pick in April's draft after a productive career at USC, where he won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award as a sophomore in 2022.
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 ascended to stardom in tandem with Washington's rise to prominence in 2023, following up a 75-catch, 1,145-yard, seven-touchdown 2022 campaign by leading the Huskies' talented receiving corps with 92 receptions, 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. With two top-nine picks in hand, Chicago decided to marry their chosen signal-caller with a premier pass-catching talent in Odunze, setting a new course for the Bears' future.
With Williams and Odunze under contract and a productive offseason behind them, the Bears are ready to embark on their most promising season in quite some time.
