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No deal? Bears No. 1 pick Caleb Williams unsigned on eve of training camp

Mon Jul 15 7:03pm ET
Field Level Media

Training camp begins Tuesday for Chicago Bears' rookies, but No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams is trending toward an unexcused absence.

Williams is unsigned and operating without an agent. He asserted that his team of lawyers and the Bears' brass are working out the terms of his first NFL contract, but the NFLPA confirmed clubs cannot negotiate directly with third parties, including attorneys.

Typically, contracts for first-round picks are hammered out using basic framework established under terms of the collective bargaining agreement but the boilerplate deals aren't always without tension. Contracts for each of the past three No. 1 picks -- Trevor Lawrence and Travon Walker of the Jaguars and Panthers quarterback Bryce Young -- received fully guaranteed contracts.

Young signed a four-year, fully guaranteed $37.95 contract with Carolina last year.

Williams told the Chicago Tribune he's not handling the contract talks with the Bears, but other reports indicate the former USC quarterback is the only person in contact with the front office.

"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," Williams said.

The NFL slotting system puts the No. 1 pick's contract at $39.4 million over four years.

Rookies report Tuesday before veterans arrive on Friday and the first team workouts Saturday.

The Bears and Houston Texans are first into training camp as the chosen teams for the Pro Football Hall of Fame contest on Aug. 1.

Another Bears rookie, wide receiver Rome Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick, is also unsigned.

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Player Notes
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Stetson Bennett Aug 24 5:40pm CT
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Russell Wilson Aug 24 5:40pm CT
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed each of his two pass attempts for 26 yards in a 24-17 preseason loss to the Detroit Lions. George Pickens was the only player targeted by Wilson on the team's first drive of the contest. The duo connected for a 32-yard gain that eventually set up a Cordarrelle Patterson rushing touchdown. Although head coach Mike Tomlin declined to name a Week 1 starter on Saturday, the team certainly gave Wilson QB1 treatment when it pulled him from the preseason finale after one scoring drive. If Wilson struggles early in the regular season, Justin Fields could push for the starting job, making the veteran a risky selection as a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy drafts.

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Greg Joseph Aug 24 4:20pm CT
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Green Bay Packers kicker Greg Joseph was solid in his final preseason game, making both field goal attempts and kicking home an extra point in the Packers' 30-7 win against the Baltimore Ravens. Joseph made a 36-yard attempt in the beginning of the second quarter, nailed a PAT in the third quarter, and then with just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, drilled a 55-yard attempt. Joseph is in a tough kicking competition with incumbent starter Anders Carlson, but the race is a bit close to call at this moment. The Packers wanted to give Carlson some legitimate competition and Joseph, last season's kicker for the Minnesota Vikings, was just that throughout camp. Wait and see before drafting either kicker in fantasy, but whoever wins the Packers' job should have decent value given how powerful the Packers' offense is.

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Anders Carlson Aug 24 4:10pm CT
Anders Carlson

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Malik Heath Aug 24 4:00pm CT
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Malik Heath led the Packers in all receiving categories during their final preseason tune-up against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon. Heath, the second-year receiver out of Ole Miss, led the Packers with five targets and a four-catch, 39-yard effort, including a third-quarter touchdown from Sean Clifford. The Packers sat Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks, leaving the starting wide receivers to be Heath and Bo Melton, of whom Heath is battling to be the team's WR5 this season. The Packers have an embarrassment of riches at the receiver spot, so the team may opt to keep six on the 53-man roster, but the race is too close to call if the Packers only keep one. Heath was a sporadic contributor last season but was not fantasy-relevant. He shouldn't be drafted, but if any of the receivers ahead of him are hurt, Heath could contribute if he makes the roster.

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Bo Melton Aug 24 3:50pm CT
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton scored a touchdown on a beautiful throw from rookie Michael Pratt on Saturday afternoon in the Packers' final preseason matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. With the Packers sitting Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks, Melton got some extra time to shine on Saturday and delivered with that second-quarter score. Melton only earned two targets and caught one, but made it count. While the first four receivers are set in stone for the Packers, the fifth wide receiver slot is up for grabs between Melton and second-year pro Malik Heath, who also caught a touchdown on the day. The Packers may opt to keep both Melton and Heath on the 53-man roster, but if not, it's likely a decision between the two. For fantasy purposes, there's no need to draft Melton but keep an eye on him if any of the other receivers get hurt as Melton was productive toward the end of 2023 for the Packers.

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Jaren Hall Aug 24 3:40pm CT
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Michael Pratt Aug 24 3:40pm CT
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Sean Clifford Aug 24 3:30pm CT
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Jaren Hall Aug 24 3:30pm CT
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DaRon Bland Aug 24 2:10pm CT
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Jameis Winston Aug 24 1:40pm CT
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Tommy Sweeney Aug 24 1:30pm CT
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Deshaun Watson Aug 24 1:00pm CT
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The Cleveland Browns have ruled out quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) for their preseason finale on Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Watson, who has not played since having season-ending shoulder surgery last November, is next slated to play in the team's regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys in early September. It's not really a surprise after the 28-year-old signal-caller was held back in Wednesday's practice with general arm soreness. With Watson sitting on Saturday, backup Jameis Winston will draw the start versus Seattle. Watson is best considered as a QB2 with upside in fantasy after playing in a total of 12 games the last two years with Cleveland due to injuries. The former first-rounder proved in 2020 with the Houston Texans, though, that he has clear QB1 upside, throwing for a league-high 4,823 yards with 33 TDs and only seven interceptions.

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Brenden Rice Aug 24 12:50pm CT
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DJ Turner Aug 24 12:40pm CT
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner is a roster lock and is projected to be the team's WR3 behind Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Tre Tucker, according to The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed. Turner was already a great special teams player but has sealed his spot by making plays on offense while being lined up all over the field. Jalen Guyton is general manager Tom Telesco's guy from the Los Angeles Chargers and seems like a reliable option with some speed. Tyreik McAllister's punt return for a touchdown in the preseason finale on Friday night against the San Francisco 49ers may have sealed him the final WR spot over Kristian Wilkerson. Wilkerson is more likely to be signed back to the practice squad. Turner, 27, has no catches in his first two years in the NFL and is unlikely to be on the fantasy radar unless one of the players ahead of him on the WR totem pole goes down with an injury.

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Ladd McConkey Aug 24 12:40pm CT
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Dylan Laube Aug 24 12:30pm CT
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The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed have listed Las Vegas Raiders rookie sixth-round running back Dylan Laube as the RB4 behind Zamir White, Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah and expect him to make the final 53-man roster out of training camp. White showed well for himself when he filled in for the injured Josh Jacobs last year, and now that Jacobs is out of town, White should lead this backfield in touches in 2024. However, Mattison was brought in to help share the load, especially on third down. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has praised White's receiving skills, so he won't exactly just be a two-down back. Abdullah is a trusted veteran who can also play special teams, while Laube is a nice project and will provide depth. The 24-year-old Laube is really only worth stashing in dynasty leagues for now, and his quickest path to playing time will be on third downs.

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