The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp, with rookies scheduled to report on Tuesday, July 16th. However, the team’s top two draft picks have yet to finalize their contracts, prompting some concern among fans on social media. From a personal standpoint, I don’t view this delay as overly alarming just yet. The real deadline to consider is July 16th itself; if agreements haven’t been reached by then, it could indeed become a significant issue.
One intriguing aspect of the situation is Caleb Williams‘ approach to representation. As of now, he hasn’t officially enlisted an agent to negotiate his contract. According to league rules, neither his father nor his attorney can engage in contract negotiations as they lack certification from the Players Association for such tasks.
The situation gains complexity due to reports from February’s Scouting Combine suggesting that the Williams camp had secured the services of a certified agent in an advisory capacity. While it hasn’t been formally announced, many in the agent community speculate that this advisor is Tony Agnone of EAS Football based in Maryland. With over 40 years in the business, Agnone is renowned for fair dealings, notably representing Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
Assuming Agnone is indeed handling negotiations for Williams, the process should proceed smoothly. Rookie contracts are generally straightforward under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NFL and the Players Association, involving predetermined slots for each draft position.
Comparatively, the contract of last year’s second overall pick, Bryce Young, with Carolina, totaled $37,955,074 over four years, fully guaranteed. Jayden Daniels, this year’s second pick, has already signed for approximately $37.75 million, reflecting a slight increase from previous years.
In contrast, Rome Odunze, represented by Parker Cain and Collin Roberts of Excel Sports Management, has seen his peers like Drake Maye and Troy Fautanu, selected third and twentieth respectively, secure their contracts. While Michael Penix, drafted eighth, has finalized his deal, the eleventh pick, J.J. McCarthy, remains unsigned, potentially waiting to align his terms with the slotting system.
There is speculation that the Bears, featured on the upcoming season of “Hard Knocks,” might delay finalizing these contracts until closer to the reporting date to add drama to the show’s premiere. However, despite these factors, I remain optimistic that agreements will be reached promptly. Both Williams and Odunze have expressed eagerness to contribute to the Bears, underscoring their value to the team.
Lastly, the recent weeks have been a period of vacation for the Bears’ front office staff. As they return to work ahead of training camp, it’s reasonable to expect swift progress toward finalizing these agreements.
In conclusion, while the delay in contract signings has drawn attention, particularly with training camp approaching, there’s little cause for undue concern at this juncture. With experienced negotiators likely involved and the framework of rookie contracts well-established, I anticipate resolutions will be reached shortly, ensuring both Williams and Odunze can focus on their contributions to the Bears’ upcoming season.
