Bears QB could miss start of camp due to contract: 'I'm not handling that'

Are the Chicago Bears going to be without their starting quarterback when training camp begins next week?

It's becoming increasingly likely.

Chicago drafted Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Bears fans everywhere have been counting down the days until July 16, when Williams is expected to report to training camp along with the rest of Chicago's rookies.

Unfortunately, Williams won't be showing up to Halas Hall on Tuesday unless his representatives can reach a contractual agreement with the Bears in the next 24-48 hours.

As Chicago looks to usher in a new era with Williams under center, it would feel wrong for the Bears to start camp without him, but time is running out.

To be clear, the first practice session of Chicago's 2024 training camp will take place on Saturday, July 20. Ostensibly, Williams could push his arrival at Halas Hall into next week as negotiates continue and still be at practice by Saturday morning if a deal has been signed.

With a week left until the official start of camp, Williams was asked on Saturday about the status of contract negotiations by Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune, and Williams asserted that he's completely uninvolved with the process.

"I'm not handling that," Williams said, per Kane. "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."

Notably, Williams is represented by a team led by his father, Carl Williams. It's been reported since draft night that Williams's team has sought a myriad of ways to adjust his rookie contract before it is signed, which has included attempts to purchase team equity from the Bears.

As complicated money discussions roll on, there's still no guarantee that Williams and Chicago's No. 9 overall pick Rome Odunze (also unsigned) will be on the field when training camp commences.

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