One down, one to go.
The Bears signed rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze to a standard four-year rookie contract Tuesday the day their rookies were set to report to Halas Hall for orientation. The ninth pick in the draft will make $22.7 million over four years, with the Bears holding a team option they must decide on after three full seasons. His signing bonus is about $13.3 million.
Quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick, remains unsigned. He is one of four first-round picks— all in the top 18 selections — yet to ink their deals.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement has left little to negotiate — salaries are standardized. However, language surrounding bonuses, guarantees and offsets can be a source of some contention. The Bears don’t practice until Saturday but want Williams in the fold as soon as possible. Rookies can’t report to Halas Hall without a contract.
Odunze led all college pass-catchers with 1,640 receiving yards last season as a star at national champion runner-up Washington. He’ll team with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen to form perhaps the NFL’s most compelling wide receiver room.
Odunze has been training with Williams since before the draft — including a throwing session with his two future receiver teammates while in Los Angeles.
