While speaking at an event for his charity on Saturday, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams updated the status of his rookie contract.
"“I’m not handling that,” Williams said. “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.”"Chicago Tribume
Bears' rookies are set to report to Training Camp at Halas Hall on Tuesday. However, both Williams and rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze have yet to sign their respective deals with the team. If the deals are not completed by Tuesday, Williams and Odunze won't be able to report.
The latest on Caleb Williams' rookie contract.
The Bears' first full squad practice is not until Friday so even if Williams and Odunze do not sign by Tuesday, there isn't a complete reason to worry just yet. While the rookie contracts are slotted based on when Williams and Odunze were selected, there is some wiggle room that can be had over signing bonuses and offset language in the event that they either suffer a career-altering injury or are cut before the deal expires.
Some on social media have suggested that both Williams and Odunze are holding off signing their rookie deals until the first episode of HBO's Hard Knocks. That is a flawed idea, as the season is not set to premiere until after the team's first preseason game on August 1. There is not a scenario where Williams' and Odunze's rookie contracts are a storyline for Hard Knocks. It's also important to know that the Hard Knocks' cameras have been following the Bears since their offseason program started. Meaning, being that the episodes are not live, the series could still include footage of the rookie signing their deals now.
If we get past this week and the deals still are not signed, then we can begin to worry, but this could prove to be a meritless exercise in a matter of days if not hours.