The Chicago Bears have secured one of the most thrilling prospects in NFL history, former Heisman Trophy winner and USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams. Despite not yet playing professionally, Williams has already been named the Bears’ starting quarterback for 2024. However, Williams has yet to sign his rookie contract. He isn’t alone, as Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, edge rusher Dallas Turner, and Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims are also unsigned.
Most NFL teams have signed their rookie players, leaving the Bears, Vikings, and Bengals with unsigned picks just weeks before training camp, which is concerning. According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the delays could be due to issues with signing bonus cash flow, voids of guarantees, and guarantee offsets.
Signing bonus cash flow involves what teams have available after free-agent signings, often leading teams to defer bonus payments instead of paying upfront. Voiding guarantees due to poor performance or injury is a concern for teams, while players seek guaranteed money for security. Guarantee offsets deal with how much of a player’s salary another team would cover if the player is cut and signed elsewhere.
These unsigned rookies are wise to secure favorable contracts, and Williams, who has charted his own course, including skipping the NFL Combine, is likely waiting for the perfect deal. This trend suggests a possible shift in the rookie contract landscape. The Bears, Vikings, and Bengals must act quickly to sign their players to ensure they can participate fully in training camp.