NFL quarterback Caleb Williams made an unconventional ask in his rookie contract.
Williams is signed to the Chicago Bears as a first-round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, ESPN reports.
The outlet added that the stakes are at an all-time high at the moment, as the team has not had an All-Pro since 1939.
The team is currently working to ensure Williams is prepared for the 2024 season in training camp, which began July 20, 2024. Athlon Sports mentioned that Williams is expected to start in the preseason game against the Houston Texans on August 1, 2024.
“You can just tell he’s in a better space,” D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears’ running back, said, per NBC Sports. “That comes along with time. Getting a better understanding of the offense. He had time off, so he had more time to study the offense. So you can tell he’s made strides since he’s been back [from the break]. I know he’s got a lot on his plate, a lot being thrown at him every day. But he’s doing a great job commanding the offense since we got back.”
Williams is currently under a four-year, $39 million deal with a $25.5 million signing bonus, according to On3. Another outlet, Sports Illustrated, reported his contract is a four-year, $39.5 million deal with a $25.5 million signing bonus.
The contract was recently signed after various discussions, as Williams reportedly had some unconventional requests. Pro Football Talk reported various sources stated that Williams, who doesn’t have an agent, was looking to receive compensation from the Chicago Bears as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). However, the NFL turned down this method of payment.
It was proposed that Williams could receive a forgivable loan, which would defer taxation on the funds until the loan was forgiven. The NFL also turned down the suggestion.
“Just for general knowledge, it’s very common for different things to be asked for in the very beginnings of negotiations,” the Chicago Bear’s general manager, Ryan Poles, said, per Sports Illustrated. “So it wasn’t anything shocking in terms of what was being asked for or anything like that. But at the end of the day I’m glad it worked out and pretty kind of standard.”
Williams did not seem interested in clearing up the rumors surrounding his signing but rather appeared focused on his newly formed journey with the team.
“Not getting into that and all the details of that,” Williams explained to Sports Illustrated. “The ink is dried already, and we’re past that point.”
