Current:Home > ContactBears finally come to terms with first-round picks, QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze -AssetLink
Bears finally come to terms with first-round picks, QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze
View
Date:2025-04-12 21:54:06
Tuesday was the first day of training camp for the Chicago Bears' rookies – two of them becoming very rich men just in the nick of time.
Quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze became among the league's final first-round draft picks of 2024 to reach terms on their initial NFL contracts. This year's No. 1 overall pick out of USC, Williams, per reports, agreed a four-year pact worth a fully guaranteed $39.5 million ($25.5 million of it earmarked as a signing bonus) by slotting at the the top of the board. Widely projected as a generational prospect, he joins a roster much stronger than most top selections enjoy and could immediately restore Chicago to contending status.
Odunze, a University of Washington product chosen ninth overall, is expected to be one of Williams' top targets well into the future – though he may have to take a backseat to the likes of veteran wideouts DJ Moore and Keenan Allen and established tight end Cole Kmet in 2024. Odunze is guaranteed $22.7 million over the next four seasons.
As first-rounders, Williams and Odunze could be retained on balloon payment fifth-year options in 2028 assuming they've fulfilled expectations to that point but haven't yet signed extensions (both will be eligible for one in 2027).
NFL OFFSEASON GRADES: Bears break curve with only A+
All things Bears: Latest Chicago Bears news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
Coming off a 7-10 season, Chicago is looking for its first playoff campaign since 2020 and first postseason win since the 2010 season but will have to successfully navigate a highly competitive NFC North to meet those objectives.
Bears veterans are set to report to camp Friday. Chicago is among the league's first teams to show up for work this summer since it will kick off the preseason Aug. 1 against the Houston Texans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
***Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.
veryGood! (83618)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Mega Millions jackpot rises to estimated $792 million after no one wins $735 million grand prize
- Agency Behind Kate Middleton and Prince William Car Photo Addresses Photoshop Claims
- Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- TikTok bill passes House in bipartisan vote, moving one step closer to possible ban
- Judge halted Adrian Peterson auction amid debt collection against former Vikings star
- Schedule, bracket, storylines ahead of the last Pac-12 men's basketball tournament
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry agrees to resign, bowing to international and internal pressure
Ranking
- 3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
- Miami Seaquarium says it will fight the eviction, protestors may have to wait to celebrate
- Author Mitch Albom, 9 others evacuated by helicopter from violence-torn Port-au-Prince
- Texas parental consent law for teen contraception doesn’t run afoul of federal program, court says
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Seavey now has the most Iditarod wins, but Alaska’s historic race is marred by 3 sled dog deaths
- Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans agree to two-year, $49 million contract, per reports
- Jennifer Lopez cancels handful of shows on first tour in 5 years, fans demand explanation
Recommendation
How effective is the Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software? New study offers insights.
3 women and dog found dead, man fatally shot by police in North Las Vegas: Police
50 years later, Tommy John surgery remains a game-changer
Princess Kate's edited photo carries lessons about posting on social media
Drones warned New York City residents about storm flooding. The Spanish translation was no bueno
Jenna Dewan Reveals How Fiancé Steve Kazee Slid Into Her DMs After Channing Tatum Breakup
50 years later, Tommy John surgery remains a game-changer
Arkansas stops offering ‘X’ as an alternative to male and female on driver’s licenses and IDs