It makes little sense to overpay a rookie on a signing bonus.

There is really nothing to hold out over.

It also makes little sense not to have your two top ten picks signed and in camp when it starts.

Both should have been signed long ago. As soon as the Bears secured the #1 overall pick, legally they could start negotiating. As a fan I find this unacceptable.

Both should have been signed long ago. As soon as the Bears secured the #1 overall pick, legally they could start negotiating. As a fan I find this unacceptable.

Both should have been signed long ago. As soon as the Bears secured the #1 overall pick, legally they could start negotiating. As a fan I find this unacceptable.

Why do you care? It has zero impact on anything. If they start holding out, you will have a reason to be pissed.

You don't overpay anyone just to get them in camp however. That makes little sense.

Aren’t these contracts basically predetermined, that is why for most it is a rubber stamp.

The amount of money is slotted. There are basically three issues:

1- timing of payments
2- offset language if player gets cut and signs with another team
3- voiding of guarantees for contract violations

Quarterback Caleb Williams isn’t handling his contract negotiations with the Bears. Unless he is.

Over the weekend, Williams said regarding his rookie deal, “I’m not handling that. My lawyers and attorney and everybody, the head of the Bears, everybody up there up top is handling that. That’s not my position that I’m handling.”

Since Williams isn’t represented by an NFLPA-certified agent, the Bears aren’t permitted to negotiate with anyone but Williams. According to an NFL spokesperson, the Bears have told the league that they’re not talking to any third parties.

“Your read on Article 48 [of the Collective Bargaining Agreement] is correct,” the league told PFT via email. “The team, however, confirmed to the league that it is only speaking to the player.”

So either someone is telling an inaccurate story, or the Bears think they’re negotiating with Williams when they aren’t. The most common workaround for self-represented players who really aren’t representing themselves is to create an email address that is ostensibly the player but is actually someone else. (In at least one situation, the cover was blown when the player responded to an email from the team — while the player was on the practice field.)

Regardless, something isn’t lining up. And the situation isn’t working out. Williams, the first overall pick in the April draft, is one of only five first-round selection who have not signed, and the Bears’ rookies report tomorrow.

He has signed!!!

Bob has more losses this year than the White Sox.

The deal should have been done weeks ago. The Bears had no leverage.

The deal should have been done weeks ago. The Bears had no leverage.