Category: Latest Bears News

Bears sign Caleb Williams to rookie contract

The Bears have signed No. 1 pick Caleb Williams to a four-year, fully-guaranteed contract…just in time for training camp.

At long last, Caleb Williams is signed and ready to go for training camp.

On Tuesday, the Chicago Bears signed Williams to his four-year rookie contract worth a fully-guaranteed $39 million, including a $25.5 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, was the final player left unsigned from the team’s draft class. It comes just in the nick of time, too, as rookies are reporting to Halas Hall for the beginning of training camp.

Williams was the consensus top pick for months going into the draft and the Bears were long projected to select him ever since they secured the No. 1 overall pick by way of the Carolina Panthers.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner was a star while at USC, throwing for 8,170 yards with 72 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his two seasons. Now, he’s ready to begin his pro career and hopefully change the fortunes of Bears quarterbacking once and for all.

With the ink dry, Williams is the fifth and final member of Chicago’s five-player 2024 draft class to sign his rookie contract, joining wide receiver Rome Odunze, offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, punter Tory Taylor and defensive end Austin Booker. 

Bears sign WR Rome Odunze to 4-year rookie contract

The Bears have signed rookie receiver Rome Odunze to a four-year contract with training camp set to get underway.

With the Chicago Bears rookies reporting to training camp, the team has signed wide receiver Rome Odunze to his four-year rookie contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Chicago selected Odunze with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. According to Pelissero, it’s a four-year, fully-guaranteed $22.7 million deal with a fifth-year option.

“Man, I don’t know where to start with that guy. First of all, a human being, what a great guy,” general manager Ryan Poles said of Odunze on draft night. “Work ethic, just blue collar in the way he goes about things. But as a receiver, he can line [up] anywhere: inside, outside. You love his ability to finish in contested situations. Plays strong, plays big, run-after-catch is very good. He’s a punt returner as well.

“I mean, the kid’s just put time in and he got better and better every single year and he’s a winner. He can impact the game at any moment. If you’re at quarterback, and you’re in doubt, you want to just go give a guy an opportunity to go finish, he’s your guy. He’s done that consistently.”

Odunze was the third receiver selected in the draft, but he would’ve been the top wideout in any other draft. He joins a receiver room that features established veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, and Odunze should be a favorite target for fellow rookie Caleb Williams. Odunze can now officially report for training camp, where the first practice is scheduled for Saturday.

With pen to paper, Odunze is the fourth member of Chicago’s five-player 2024 draft class to sign his rookie contract, joining offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, punter Tory Taylor and defensive end Austin Booker. Williams remains the only player in their rookie class who’s unsigned, but the hope is a deal gets done soon.

Bears rookies report for training camp today

Bears rookies report to training camp at Halas Hall starting today before Saturday’s first practice.

The wait is finally over as the Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp this week.

Bears rookies report to Halas Hall beginning Tuesday, July 16. The rest of the team will report to the team’s Lake Forest facility on Friday, July 19.

Chicago will practice for the first time on Saturday, July 20, which is closed to the public. The Bears’ first open practice will be on Friday, July 26, where a free ticket is required for entry (See the full schedule here).

The Bears have an impressive group of rookies this year, including first-round selections quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze. Both Williams and Odunze remain unsigned, as of Tuesday morning, and won’t be allowed to participate until their rookie contracts are signed.

Elsewhere, Chicago’s rookie class also features offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, punter Tory Taylor and defensive end Austin Booker, along with a slew of other undrafted rookies vying to make the roster.

Chicago will be the focus of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this summer, where cameras are gearing up to film what’s shaping up to be an exciting training camp and preseason at Halas Hall.

Bears ‘making progress’ on Caleb Williams’ rookie contract

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, there’s “no concern” when it comes to Caleb Williams’ rookie contract as the Bears are “making progress.”

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp this week, but two prominent rookies remain unsigned — quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.

Williams recently addressed a question about his contract status and whether he would report to training camp if a deal isn’t done in the coming days.

“I’m not handling that,” Williams told the Chicago Tribune. “My lawyers and attorney and everybody, the head of the Bears, everybody up there up top is handling that. That’s not my position that I’m handling.”

ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano shared an update on Monday about Williams and contract negotiations, and it doesn’t sound like there’s reason to worry about a holdout.

“No concern, no drama, making progress,” Graziano said. “He doesn’t have an agent, I think that probably slows things down a little bit. But the Bears believe that they’ll get this done, and there won’t be any disruption.”

Williams has been a full participant during rookie minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp throughout the offseason program. But he won’t have a choice with training camp. Williams cannot participate in practice, let alone be at Halas Hall, until a contract is signed.

With Bears rookies set to report to training camp Tuesday — and the first practice slated for Saturday — it’s a storyline to monitor. And one that hopefully is resolved sooner than later.

WATCH: Bears great Devin Hester receives Gold Jacket from Hall of Fame

Watch as Bears legend Devin Hester, surrounded by family, receives his Gold Jacket from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chicago Bears legend Devin Hester has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where the 2024 class will be celebrated with an enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 3, in Canton, Ohio.

Ahead of the enshrinement ceremony, Hester was gifted his Gold Jacket that comes with his induction among football’s immortals. The Hall of Fame shared a video of Hester opening his Gold Jacket with his family gathered around him.

For Hester, it’s a moment years in the making. Many believed that Hester, considered the greatest return specialist of all time, should’ve been a first ballot Hall of Famer. But after waiting two years, he’s finally taken his place among the NFL’s greatest.

“This is a wild dream that I never imagined,” Hester said, via the Sun-Times. “This is bigger than everything. This is not only a dream, but this is something that I felt as a kid was impossible. That was just too much out of the picture. It’s like hitting the lotto.”

Hester, a three-time first-team All Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, forever changed the game as a return specialist. He has more punt returns than anyone in NFL history with 14, his 20 total non-offensive touchdowns are also the most in league history, and he has the highest average yards per punt return among those with at least 300 returns in NFL history.

Hester is one of three former Bears players, also including Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers, being enshrined into the Hall of Fame this year. Chicago is slated to face the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1.

Bears WR Rome Odunze showcased in ‘Meet the Rookies’ series

The Bears drafted Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick, where he’s set to make an impact as one of Caleb Williams’ many weapons.

The Chicago Bears have a lot of faith in wide receiver Rome Odunze. They wouldn’t have selected him ninth overall in the 2024 NFL draft if they didn’t. He will come in with fellow rookie Caleb Williams and try to grow with him, which would help the offense become a juggernaut.

The Bears have a talented receiver room this season, which includes returning veteran DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, who the team traded for earlier this offseason. With Odunze added in, they should be a great trio of receivers for Williams to develop with. The now-former Washington star is ready for big action in the NFL.

Chicago’s social team has been doing “Meet the Rookies” features, which takes a deep dive into a player’s personal life and what led them to where they are today. For Odunze, it is incredible to see his progression into an NFL draft pick.

Odunze has the tools and support system away from the field to help him become a star in the most incredible football league in the world. His family is a big part of his life and supportive of his career.

Learning about Odunze’s personal life ahead of the NFL makes you appreciate him as a player even more. Chicago isn’t known for developing elite receivers, but Odunze is set to change that mold.

Bears rookie Caleb Williams ready for training camp, not focused on contract

Bears rookie Caleb Williams remains unsigned with training camp just around the corner, but he’s focused on training.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp next week, and their top two rookies, Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, remain unsigned.

Williams, appearing at his first Chicago-based Caleb Cares Foundation event, was asked about his contract status and whether he would report to camp if a deal isn’t done in the coming days.

“I’m not handling that,” Williams told the Chicago Tribune. “My lawyers and attorney and everybody, the head of the Bears, everybody up there up top is handling that. That’s not my position that I’m handling.”

While Williams remains unsigned with training camp just days away — and didn’t downplay a potential holdout — he did express excitement for the start of practices ahead of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 1.

“You start getting to the end of the break and you’re training and you’re ready to go,” Williams said. “Really excited. … I’m really happy to be back in Chicago and to get this thing going. We’re only about three weeks away (from the exhibition opener).”

Rookies are set to report to training camp on July 16 — and veterans on July 19 — with the first training camp practice slated for July 20.

Bears OL Kiran Amegadjie showcased in ‘Meet the Rookies’ series

The Bears drafted OT Kiran Amegadjie in the third round, and he’s hoping to be an impactful contributor for his hometown team.

Kiran Amegadjie grew up a Chicago Bears fan. So it was a dream come true for him to be drafted, but it was extra special when the Bears came calling with the 75th overall pick.

Amegadjie met head coach Matt Eberflus last summer at a golf course, which was a prelude of things to come. This is one of the many things we learned about him in “Meet the Rookies,” a miniseries that the Bears are putting out on social media. 

Through this video, you see some of Amegadjie’s progression through high school and into college before being drafted into the NFL. Family and education played a big role in all of this for him which is a great sign. 

Playing for an Ivy League school and coming to the NFL is never easy. It isn’t the most traditional way to do it, but Amegadjie uses that as motivation. He dives into how Yale influenced him into the player that he is now. 

The Bears are hoping to develop an outstanding offensive line in the coming years. If Amegadjie turns into a great individual player, he’ll be a key building block toward that goal.

Jaylon Johnson believes this is one of the Bears’ best rosters he’s had

Pro Bowl CB Jaylon Johnson believes this 2024 Bears roster is among the best he’s had since joining the NFL.

The Chicago Bears have been one of the most-talked teams this offseason, and optimism is high following a busy offseason with some impactful new additions.

That includes rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who takes over for the departed Justin Fields, along with rookie receiver Rome Odunze, receiver Keenan Allen, running back D’Andre Swift, safety Kevin Byard and tight end Gerald Everett.

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who signed a four-year contract extension with Chicago this offseason, had high praise for this roster during an appearance on “Jim Rome.”

“I can say this is one of the best rosters I’ve had since being with the Bears,” Johnson said.

While the new additions are expected to be key contributors, there’s also plenty of returning talent on the roster that will be crucial to the team’s success in 2024.

The Bears defense features Johnson, Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat and a slew of core returners, including cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson, safety Jaquan Brisker and linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. They had a strong finish to the 2023 season, and they have the potential to be a top-10 unit in 2024.

There’s plenty of returning talent on offense, as well, including receiver DJ Moore, tight end Cole Kmet, running backs Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson and offensive linemen Darnell Wright, Teven Jenkins and Braxton Jones.

Re-live some of Bears RB Matt Forte’s best career highlights

The Bears had some great years with RB Matt Forte. Re-live some of his best highlights with Chicago.

The Chicago Bears have had some talented running backs in their storied 100-plus year history, including Hall of Famers Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski.

Matt Forte might not be a Hall of Famer, but his name is among the list of all-time great bears running backs. For a while, he was one of the most underrated players in the league because of his ability to change games without much recognition.

Forte was incredible at running the ball, but he was also a threat in the passing game. When he was in the backfield, defenses had to worry about him getting the ball for a rush or going out for a pass along with the rest of the receivers on the team.

He spent the final two years of his 10-year NFL career with the New York Jets, but he is a Chicago Bear for life. The Bears are a franchise loaded with incredible running back aura, and Forte is a big piece of that. He didn’t win the Super Bowl, but he was one of the best for a long time.

Forte eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in five of his eight seasons in Chicago. (And he was just three yards shy of making it six). In those other two seasons, he eclipsed 800 rushing yards.

As a receiver, Forte was just as lethal. He had over 400 receiving yards as a running back in every year of his Bears career except one. That is highlighted by the 808-passing-yard year he had in 2014. The only season that he didn’t finish with over 1,000 all-purpose yards was his final one with the Jets. It was an incredible run for an elite player.