The Bears on Wednesday signed quarterback Caleb Williams to a four-year contract that includes a fifth-year option because he was a first-round draft pick.
Chosen by the Bears with the No. 1 choice in the draft, Williams generated 120 touchdowns in three seasons at Oklahoma (2021) and USC (2022-23). The 6-1, 215-pounder appeared in 37 games with 33 starts, completing 66.9% of his passes for 9,782 yards and 93 touchdowns and rushing for 966 yards and 27 TDs on 289 carries.
Williams won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore at USC in 2022, passing for 4,537 yards with 42 TDs and five interceptions and rushing for 382 yards and 10 TDs on 113 attempts. He also won the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award as college football's top player and was named AP College Football Player of the Year and Sporting News Player of the Year.
Last year the Washington, D.C., native threw for 3,333 yards with 30 TDs and five interceptions and rushed for 142 yards and 11 TDs on 97 attempts.
The Bears have crafted a plan to put Williams in the best position to succeed. When he arrived at rookie minicamp in May, he had already been anointed their starting quarterback, had been introduced to the offense—including terminology and concepts—during his top-30 visit to Halas Hall and had worked out with veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. The Bears also helped Williams prepare by collaborating with his private quarterback coach, Will Hewlitt.
All five of the Bears' 2024 draft picks are now under contract. The team's first training camp practice at Halas Hall is scheduled for Saturday.
