In addition to Williams, the Bears selected
Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze in the first round. The No.
9 pick also signed his four-year rookie contract with the Bears
on Tuesday.
Bears training camp officially begins on Friday, when veterans
are due to report with the first practice scheduled for
Saturday.
Williams, 22, was the first of six quarterbacks drafted during
the opening round in April. He replaces Justin Fields as the top
quarterback on the Bears' depth chart and head coach Matt
Eberflus already declared the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner as the
team's starter.
Odunze receives approximately $22.7 million fully guaranteed on
a four-year deal and a $13.3 million signing bonus, per Spotrac.
All contracts involving first-round selections include a
fifth-year team option.
Odunze will join Keenan Allen, acquired via trade from the
Chargers, and D.J. Moore atop Chicago's wide receiver ranks. The
Bears received Moore and the Panthers' 2024 first-round pick
that became Williams, in the deal with Carolina for the 2023
first overall pick.
Odunze, 22, recorded 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13
touchdowns in his final season with the Huskies. His yardage
total led all FBS receivers and were the most in school history
as Washington finished runner-up in the College Football Playoff
after losing to Michigan in the national title game.
In four seasons at Washington, Odunze had 214 receptions for
3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns.
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