Current:Home > BackBears finally come to terms with first-round picks, QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze-LoTradeCoin
Bears finally come to terms with first-round picks, QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze
View Date:2024-12-23 21:39:08
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! (5)
Related
- FBI raids New York City apartment of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, reports say
- Mandy Moore Captures the Holiday Vibe With These No Brainer Gifts & Stocking Stuffer Must-Haves
- Crews battle 'rapid spread' conditions against Jennings Creek fire in Northeast
- Michelle Obama Is Diving Back into the Dating World—But It’s Not What You Think
- Kevin Costner says he hasn't watched John Dutton's fate on 'Yellowstone': 'Swear to God'
- Nicole Kidman Reveals the Surprising Reason for Starring in NSFW Movie Babygirl
- Lunchables get early dismissal: Kraft Heinz pulls the iconic snack from school lunches
- Best fits for Corbin Burnes: 6 teams that could match up with Cy Young winner
- Roster limits in college small sports put athletes on chopping block while coaches look for answers
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Good Try (Freestyle)
- California researchers discover mysterious, gelatinous new sea slug
- When does Spirit Christmas open? What to know about Spirit Halloween’s new holiday venture
- San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had mild stroke this month, team says
- Isiah Pacheco injury updates: When will Chiefs RB return?
- FBI offers up to $25,000 reward for information about suspect behind Northwest ballot box fires
- Detroit-area police win appeal over liability in death of woman in custody
- Inflation ticked up in October, CPI report shows. What happens next with interest rates?
Recommendation
-
2025 NFL Draft order: Updated first round picks after Week 10 games
-
GM recalls 460k cars for rear wheel lock-up: Affected models include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac
-
Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
-
'Full House' star Dave Coulier diagnosed with stage 3 cancer
-
13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
-
Old Navy's Early Black Friday Deals Start at $1.97 -- Get Holiday-Ready Sweaters, Skirts, Puffers & More
-
Ryan Reynolds Clarifies Taylor Swift’s Role as Godmother to His Kids With Blake Lively
-
Tech consultant testifies that ‘bad joke’ led to deadly clash with Cash App founder Bob Lee