Caleb Williams provides update on Chicago Bears rookie contract
The Chicago Bears wrapped up their mandatory mini-camp on Thursday, signaling a six-week break for the team before they open training camp at the end of July.
Unlike teams across the league, the Bears do not have any real contract situations to monitor. It would seem that Keenan Allen will likely play out the final year of his contract without a new deal and Teven Jenkins did not sound optimistic about the two sides reaching a new deal before he reaches free agency next March.
The biggest focus will be on the rookie contracts for quarterback Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. Neither player has signed their rookie deal with the Bears but at this point in the offseason, that is not abnormal. Williams was asked about the status of signing his rookie deal while speaking with reporters after practice on Thursday.
"“I’m not handling that. I’ve been focused on these past three days of minicamp, the OTAs before that, and rookie camp before that. So I haven’t been focused on that. Poles and my team have been focused on that. I have lawyers and attorneys to handle things like that so that I can be free-minded on the field, enjoy coming into work every day to work my tail off.”"
- Caleb Williams
One thing that has become clear is that Williams' sole focus is on living up to the expectations of a quarterback drafted first overall. Given that Williams is the first superstar quarterback of college football's NIL era, he likely has grown used to handling the football side while his team handles the business side.
When will Caleb Williams sign his rookie contract?
If we reach August 1 and Williams still hasn't signed his rookie deal, then there would be some reason for concern. But, for now, there is no indicator that Williams' unsigned rookie contract will be a talking point when training camp opens in July.