Current:Home > MarketsBears finally come to terms with first-round picks, QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze -AssetFocus
Bears finally come to terms with first-round picks, QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze
View
Date:2025-04-25 23:14:58
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! (22)
Related
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- US commemorates 9/11 attacks with victims in focus, but politics in view
- Massachusetts man who played same lottery numbers for 20 years finally wins Mega Millions
- Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Finalize Divorce One Year After Split
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Protections sought for prison workers in closing of aging Illinois prison
- Dolphins coaches, players react to ‘emotional’ and ‘triggering’ footage of Tyreek Hill traffic stop
- Girl, 3, dies after being found in a hot car in Southern California, and her mother is arrested
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Prosecutors charge Milwaukee man with shooting at officers
Ranking
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- 'Rocket fuel' in Gulf may propel Francine closer to hurricane status: Live updates
- Niners, Jordan Mason offer potentially conflicting accounts of when he knew he'd start
- 'Emilia Pérez': Selena Gomez was 'so nervous' about first Spanish-speaking role
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Prison guard shortfall makes it harder for inmates to get reprieve from extreme heat, critics say
- Election in Georgia’s Fulton County to be observed by independent monitor
- Want Affordable High-Quality Jewelry That Makes a Statement? These Pieces Start at Just $10
Recommendation
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
How Fox News, CNN reacted to wild Trump-Harris debate: 'He took the bait'
Pregnant Margot Robbie’s Pal Shares How She’ll Be as a Mom
Flavor Flav Warns Snoop Dogg, Pitbull After Donald Trump's Pet Eating Claim
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Flavor Flav Warns Snoop Dogg, Pitbull After Donald Trump's Pet Eating Claim
Cute Fall Sweaters Under $50 on Amazon (That You'll Want in Every Color)
Kate Gosselin’s Son Collin Accuses Her of Tying Him Up, Keeping Him in Family’s Basement