Caleb Williams of Chicago Bears looking on.Caleb Williams (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams reportedly sought a special luxury in his contract that had never been assigned to a rookie in NFL history, but the Chicago Bears refused to bite.

The Bears drafted Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in 2024, a selection they obtained via the Carolina Panthers in the move-up for Bryce Young a year ago. On Tuesday, he signed his four-year rookie contract worth $39 million.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Williams sought another special perk in his rookie deal. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner wanted the Bears to guarantee that they wouldn’t franchise tag him once his rookie deal is up, but the organization declined:

“As the Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams haggle over remaining language in his rookie deal, there’s one clause that definitely won’t be added.

Per multiple sources, Williams asked the Bears to agree not to use the franchise tag upon expiration of his rookie contract. The Bears declined.

Although multiple veteran players have secured such a commitment (e.g., Dak Prescott), no rookie has finagled a promise that they won’t be tagged. Williams arguably had the leverage to accomplish it.”

All rookie contracts of first-round picks carry four-year terms with a team option for a fifth year. So the Bears have Williams signed through 2027, and they’ll undoubtedly pick up the fifth-year option for 2028 if he comes as advertised.

In his final season of college football, the 22-year-old Caleb Williams completed 68.6 percent of pass attempts for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns against only five interceptions to go along with 11 rushing scores.

Williams will make his NFL debut on Sept. 8, when his Bears host the Tennessee Titans in the season opener at Soldier Field.

Bears Have Put Caleb Williams In A Good Position To Succeed

Most rookie quarterbacks, especially ones who go first overall, aren’t exactly put in favorable spots to produce right away. But this is a unique situation for Williams, who joins a Chicago team that took a step forward by winning seven games in 2023.

Chicago acquired Pro Bowl wideout Keenan Allen, signed 1,000-yard rusher D’Andre Swift and used a No. 9 pick on prized Washington WR Rome Odunze to complement Khalil Herbert, Cole Kmet and superstar DJ Moore. With all of that talent around him, Williams should produce early and often in the Windy City.

AFC Heavyweight Lands Disgruntled 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk In Blockbuster Trade Proposal That Would Make Them The Biggest Threat To A Chiefs Three-Peat

Brandon Aiyuk of San Francisco 49ers looking on.Brandon Aiyuk (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has suddenly emerged as the biggest name to follow on the trade market with training camp approaching.

On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the 26-year-old Brandon Aiyuk has requested a trade from the 49ers following lengthy contract discussions that have yet to culminate in an extension.

The 49ers would ideally like to keep Aiyuk, who’s coming off a career year that saw him rack up 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. But if GM John Lynch ultimately decides to trade his All-Pro wideout, there will be a long list of interested teams.

If there’s one Super Bowl contender that could especially use Brandon Aiyuk, it’s Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills. And GM Brandon Beane should be motivated to make a move for Aiyuk following the difficult decision to trade All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.

 

The Bills also bid farewell to No. 2 wideout Gabe Davis, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Beane rebuilt his WR corps by using the No. 33 pick on Floria State product Keon Coleman, and by signing Curtis Samuel, Marques Valdes-Scantling and Chase Claypool.

But none of them are established No. 1 receivers, whereas Aiyuk could easily emerge as Josh Allen’s main go-to weapon in an offense that doesn’t feature fellow stars Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle or Deebo Samuel.

What Bills Should Offer 49ers For Brandon Aiyuk

The Bills need to maximize the opportunity to win while they have Josh Allen in his prime, and a player like Aiyuk would make them the biggest threat to Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

So Beane should offer up his 2025 first-round pick and 2026 fourth-round picks to San Francisco in exchange for Aiyuk. And if they could get Aiyuk extended, Allen would have his long-term No. 1 receiver.

Allen was overly reliant on Stefon Diggs in the passing game, but imagine if Aiyuk joined a receiving corps led by two other potent playmakers in Coleman and Samuel. With three capable 1,000-yard receivers at his disposal, Allen would be in line for a career year.