More than a month removed from the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams continues to go through the Chicago Bears’ offseason program. But the No. 1 overall pick still hasn’t finalized his rookie contract with mandatory minicamp in the books, although he’s keeping his focus on the field.
Williams doesn’t have a traditional “agent,” but has a team of lawyers and an attorney to help him work through contract talks. That allows him to worry about what’s happening on the field and in the locker room, and that’s how he’s approaching his first deal.
When asked about where the discussions stand after minicamp, Williams said he’s trusting his team and general manager Ryan Poles to take care of everything.
“I’m not handling that,” Williams said Thursday. “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 has been focused on that.
“I have lawyers and an attorney to handle things like that so I can be free-minded on the field, enjoying coming in to work every day and working my tail off.”
As the No. 1 overall pick, Williams would receive a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $39.4 million, including a $25.5 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac. The contract will also have a fifth-year option in 2028.
Caleb Williams, Bears preparing for ‘Hard Knocks’
But even as Williams’ contract discussions roll along, he has been participating in Chicago’s offseason program and building a rapport with his new teammates. Of course, that bond will be on display when HBO’s “Hard Knocks” features the Bears as they go through training camp. The first episode will premiere Aug. 6.
Williams was just one of the notable additions for the Bears. They also drafted wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick and brought in Keenan Allen via trade to join a room with D.J. Moore after his 1,000-yard season. D’Andre Swift is also in the mix as Poles added playmakers with new coordinator Shane Waldron coming in.
But the star is sure to be Williams, and head coach Matt Eberflus expects he’ll handle it all just fine after spending his college career in the limelight.
“I do,” Eberflus said. “I really do. … And I do think he’s suited for that because he’s comfortable in his own skin. He knows who he is and he’s been out there for several years in terms of in the media, in the focus, Heisman winner. All those things that he’s done. He’ll be good.”
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