After long delay, Caleb Williams signs rookie contract with the Bears

Former USC superstar and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has reported to the first training camp of his professional career, the first of many. Williams plans to take the Bears to new heights, and that begins on Tuesday.

Not only did he report to his first camp, but he also finally signed the first NFL contract of his professional career. Williams, along with the Bears’ No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Rome Odunze, signed their first-round rookie contracts.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams signed a four-year, $39.4 million contract with a $25.5 million signing bonus. Williams was one of the last players drafted in the first round to sign their contracts. Williams’ contract is fully guaranteed and includes a fifth-year option in 2028. The 22-year-old rookie deserves every penny and then some. A lot will be riding on Williams, and that starts immediately.

There have been some bumps along the way, but Williams has now reached a deal with Chicago, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported the news.

Williams spoke to the Chicago Tribune and said he had virtually no input into the negotiating process.

“I’m not going to handle that,” Williams told The Chicago Tribune. “My lawyers and attorney and everybody, the Bears’ leader, everybody up there handles that. That’s not my position to handle.”

The Bears traded their former first-round rookie quarterback Justin Fields for Williams; however, the Bears believe this time around will be different, as Williams has proven to be a franchise-type quarterback. Williams proved to be a game-changer during his time at Oklahoma, and especially during his two seasons at USC.

More USC: Why Lincoln Riley thinks Caleb Williams’ departure could be positive for Trojans