Earlier this week, reports emerged that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears’ top draft pick, had reached an agreement on his initial contract with the team.
Williams is said to have agreed to a four-year contract valued at $39.49 million, which includes a $25.5 million signing bonus.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears’ top overall pick, had reached an agreement on his rookie contract with the team.
Williams is set to sign a four-year deal valued at $39.49 million, including a $25.5 million signing bonus. Despite this seemingly straightforward contract, there were reports of unusual demands from Williams during negotiations.
Williams reportedly requested a clause that would prevent the Bears from using a franchise tag on him in the future, and he also asked to be paid through an LLC. These demands were considered unusual for a rookie who has yet to play a snap for the team.
On Friday, Bears General Manager Ryan Poles addressed these negotiations, stating that there was nothing “shocking” about Williams’ requests. He expressed relief that the deal was completed before training camp, describing the process as fairly standard.
“This wasn’t anything surprising in terms of what was being asked for,” Poles said, according to John Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago. “But I’m glad it worked out and it was pretty standard in the end.”
Poles’ response is typical for an NFL general manager aiming to avoid distractions as the team heads into training camp, despite the peculiarities of the rookie’s requests.
The key question for the Bears now is whether Williams will prove to be a franchise quarterback capable of turning around the team’s fortunes and making a significant impact in the NFC in the years to come.
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