It's three days into July and former USC football star quarterback Caleb Williams has yet to sign his rookie contract. The former Trojan was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, but the two sides have yet to come to a deal.
According to Pro Football Talk, Williams is one of five first-round draft picks in this year's draft who have yet to sign their first NFL contract, along with his new teammate, rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze, who the Bears took ninth overall. In addition to the Bears' two first-round picks, Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and edge rusher Dallas Turner and Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims are also without rookie contracts.
Williams, as the No. 1 overall pick, will reportedly sign a four-year contract worth about $38.5 million, slightly more than the four-year, $38 million deal agreed to by 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.
Ideally, the Bears would try to officially sign Williams (and Odunze) before training camp opens later this month, with Bears rookies set to report to camp on July 16, less than two weeks away.
Williams will play in the NFL after two years at USC and one season at Oklahoma. He was the most promising quarterback in college football after winning the Heisman Trophy and AP College Football Player of the Year awards during his sophomore season in 2022. He then threw for 3,333 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions during his senior year.
The Bears have been without a truly successful franchise quarterback for a long time, so Williams is now expected to change the team's fortunes.
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