Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams have not yet signed their rookie contracts.
With just one week left before rookies report to Bears training camp, this might quickly spiral out of control. Veterans report on July 19 and rookies on July 16.
There might be issues if Williams and Odunze don’t sign by then.
If there are any concerns, former Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt stated on NBC Sports Chicago’s “Football Night in Chicago” that “there will be as we get closer to the week before training camp.” “I’m not really sure what they would be receiving in terms of specifics. Because everything is now, as we all know, contractually speaking, slotted in. The past is no longer the same as the present. Caleb is one of the five first-round draft selections that I am aware of who is still unsigned.”
Former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt joins David Haugh on this episode of Football Night in Chicago to talk about everything related to the Chicago Bears. Wanny discusses if the Bears’ lack of a signing should worry supporters. Williams, Caleb, and Rome Odunze
Recall that according to the collective bargaining agreement of the league, rookies are assigned a contract number based on their position in the NFL Draft. Williams’ four-year contract is anticipated to be valued at $39.4 million, including a $25.5 million signing bonus. Odunze’s four-year contract is anticipated to be for $22.7 million, including a signing bonus of $13.3 million.
Rookies in the NFL have virtually limited negotiating power when it comes to their initial contracts. They can bargain over incentives, bonuses, guaranteed funds, and the portion of their signing bonus that they receive up front.
During his rookie summer training camp, Jaquan Brisker temporarily withdrew as his agent worked out the guaranteed money he would receive in the later years of his deal.
Williams does not have an NFLPA-certified agent, in contrast to the majority of players and rookies. He works out his contracts with the assistance of a group of solicitors.
Williams and Odunze will not be allowed to report to training camp if they do not sign their rookie contracts by July 16. And that’s when Wannstedt says things get complicated.
“I’ll tell you what, I would start becoming a little impatient with him after a week since he can’t… Not only will he miss the work, but it’s also a diversion,” Wannstedt remarked. “Believe me, I’ve experienced it firsthand with Curtis Enis and Rashaan Salaam. It was done by both of them. Did they forget their job? Indeed. However, the team is distracted by it because that’s all the media is interested in discussing.”
In just one week, it will become a major issue if Williams or Odunze miss training camp. On June 10, though, Williams didn’t worry about delaying the signing of his rookie contract.
Following the last Bears mandatory minicamp exercise at Halas Hall in early June, Williams declared, “I’m not handling that,” in reference to his contract. “I’ve been concentrating on the OTAs, rookie camp, and these last three days of minicamp. That hasn’t been my main concern. My colleagues and Poles have been concentrating on that. I have solicitors and solicitors to handle such matters, allowing me to be unrestricted on the field and relish the daily grind of working tirelessly.
