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.
Has a rookie QB ever walked into a better situation than Caleb Williams? https://t.co/LW4rxmGD0g pic.twitter.com/JiIhcKRQXR
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) July 16, 2024
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.
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