Bears agree to deals with QB Caleb Williams, wide receiver Rome Odunze
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams speaks during a news conference after practice at the NFL football team's mandatory minicamp in Lake Forest, Ill., Thursday, June 6, 2024. The Chicago Bears have locked in their top two rookies, agreeing to four-year contracts with No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams and No. 9 selection Rome Odunze and avoiding any training camp drama with their prized quarterback and receiver. Credit: AP/Nam Y. Huh
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears locked in their top two rookies, agreeing to four-year contracts with No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams and No. 9 selection Rome Odunze and avoiding any training camp drama with their prized quarterback and wide receiver.
The Bears announced Williams' signing on Wednesday and Odunze's on Tuesday.
A person familiar with the deal told the The Associated Press that Williams will get a slotted $39.49 million fully guaranteed deal, with a $25.5 million signing bonus. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the details of the contract.
The Bears announced Odunze's signing on Tuesday. The club has options for 2028 on both players.
Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, is widely viewed as a generational talent. The Bears are counting on him to become the sort of franchise quarterback Chicago has craved for decades.
Williams put up huge numbers in college, with 93 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions during three seasons at Oklahoma and Southern California. He followed coach Lincoln Riley from Norman, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles and threw for 72 TDs and just 10 interceptions in two years with the Trojans.
In Chicago, he has two veteran playmaking receivers in DJ Moore and six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen, in addition to Odunze, who starred at Washington.
Wide receiver Rome Odunze, selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the NFL football draft, speaks during a news conference before the NFL football team's rookie camp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill., Friday, May 10, 2024. The Chicago Bears and rookie receiver Rome Odunze agreed Tuesday, July 16, to a four-year contract that includes an option for the 2028 season. Credit: AP/Nam Y. Huh
Odunze played four seasons with the Huskies and was an All-American last year when he led the nation with a school-record 1,640 yards. Washington advanced to the national championship game, losing to Michigan. Odunze had 3,272 yards receiving and 24 touchdown receptions in his college career.
Bears rookies were due to report for training camp on Tuesday, with veterans arriving on Friday. The first practice is Saturday.
Chicago has just three playoff appearances since the 2006 team reached the Super Bowl, and failed to advance in the postseason twice in that span. The Bears are 10-24 in two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus. But they see themselves as a playoff contender after going from three wins in 2022 to finishing 7-10 last season.
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Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze catches a ball during practice at the NFL football team's minicamp in Lake Forest, Ill., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The Chicago Bears and rookie receiver Rome Odunze agreed Tuesday, July 16, to a four-year contract that includes an option for the 2028 season. Credit: AP/Nam Y. Huh
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
