Nerves were reaching a point of no return for Chicago Bears fans as training camp report dates arrived. Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze still hadn’t signed their rookie contracts. People feared the two 1st round picks might end up in a camp holdout as they searched for certain language in the deals they wanted. Mercifully, it never got that far. Odunze signed his deal around lunchtime on Tuesday, and Caleb Williams did the same a couple of hours later, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Chicago has every locked up.
“The No. 1 overall pick is ready to sign on the dotted line in time for camp.
Caleb Williams has agreed to a four-year, $39.49 million fully guaranteed deal with the Chicago Bears, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, per a source. Williams’ rookie contract includes a $25.5 million signing bonus, per Rapoport.”
Some people have posited the conspiracy that both players purposely waited until the last second to sign their deals so the HBO cameras for Hard Knocks could document them for the first episode of the season. If true, that isn’t a nice way to play with the emotions of fans. Before denying it, don’t forget GM Ryan Poles was told to wait at least five minutes to take Williams during the NFL draft. This is exactly the sort of thing they’d do, knowing that drama sells ratings.
It wasn’t for lack of the mainstream media trying. From the outset of the off-season, various outlets did everything in their power to create a narrative around Williams. Most of it centered on his supposed me-first attitude and “Hollywood” reputation. It didn’t take long for future reports to completely debunk those ideas. Teammates and coaches both defended him at every turn, insisting he was a tireless worker, great teammate, and ultra-competitive. The fact he’s more outspoken than kids his age means nothing.
Now everything is squared away. The players are under contract. The coaching staff is set. All that is left is to get on the grass and start working. Caleb Williams and the rest of the rookies will spend the next three days getting acclimated and going through light work session. Veterans report on July 19th. That is when the real action begins. Fans will get to see the team in action for the first time on July 26th. Football is finally back.
