The Chicago Bears have made significant moves in their roster building ahead of the 2024 NFL season. According to multiple reports, the team has agreed to terms with both their first-round picks, quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Williams, who was selected as the number one overall pick in this year's draft, signed a four-year rookie contract worth $39.4 million with a $25.5 million signing bonus on July 16, 2024. Odunze, the ninth overall pick in April's draft, also agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $22.7 million with a $13.3 million signing bonus.
Both contracts are fully guaranteed and contain a fifth-year option for the Bears to exercise in 2028.
The Bears obtained the rights to draft Williams from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for their 2023 first-round pick and other assets. The team then traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars to select cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the fifth round of that draft.
Williams, who played college football at USC, was a Heisman Trophy winner and unanimous All-American in 2022. He threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns with five interceptions that season. In his final year at USC in 2023, Williams had slightly less impressive numbers but still managed to earn honorable mention recognition in the Pac-12.
Odunze caught a total of 306 passes for 4,916 yards and 45 touchdowns during his college career at Washington. He had a breakout season in 2023 with 92 catches for 1,640 yards and thirteen touchdowns.
The Bears are set to begin training camp practices on July 20 after veterans report this Friday. The team will face the Houston Texans in the annual Hall of Fame game on Aug. 1.