Report: Caleb Williams, Bears Had ‘Very Frank and Positive’ Talks amid Contract Buzz

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVApril 19, 2024

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Ahead of his likely selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, USC quarterback Caleb Williams has reportedly been in conversations with the Chicago Bears.

According to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, the Bears have kept in touch with Williams via video chat sessions since meeting with him in person a couple of weeks ago. Pelissero added that discussions between the two sides have been “very frank and positive.”

All signs point toward the Bears taking Williams first overall after trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which means they could potentially hammer out a contract with him before the draft itself.

However, Pelissero noted that contract negotiations “could be more complicated than a normal slotted deal, given the uniqueness of Caleb’s draft process thus far.”

Per Pelissero, Williams and his representatives made it clear early in their discussions with the Bears that they wanted “investment and infrastructure to help Caleb reach his next goal of chasing Tom Brady and winning Super Bowls,” and the belief is that the organization has done a quality job thus far.

Chicago has made some major additions to the offense this offseason, including signing running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett in free agency. The Bears also acquired veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Allen, who is a six-time Pro Bowler, will form one of the best wide receivers duos in the NFL with D.J. Moore, and when adding in Swift and tight end Cole Kmet, Williams could have one of the best collections of offensive weapons in the NFL as a rookie.

That doesn’t even mention the fact that the Bears also have the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft in addition to the No. 1 pick.

With that selection, Chicago can potentially add another instant-impact player, such as a wide receiver like Washington’s Rome Odunze or LSU’s Malik Nabers, or a pass-rusher like Alabama’s Dallas Turner or Florida State’s Jared Verse.

Chicago was the worst team in the NFL in 2022 with a 3-14 record, but it took a significant leap forward last season, going 7-10 and remaining in the playoff race until late in the year.

Many of the Bears’ main contributors last season were young, developing players, especially defensively and along the offensive line.

Their continued improvement should help take the Bears to the next level while adding a potentially elite quarterback talent in Williams could put them over the top and make them playoff and eventually Super Bowl contenders.

Of course, Williams is a slam dunk to be a superstar at the NFL level, but with the Bears building a strong roster around him, he will have all the tools needed to succeed right away.