Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams remains without a contract. Yet, the rookie is apparently not concerned about it, considering he reported he hasn't been involved in negotiations. "I'm not handling that," said Williams when asked about a potential deal. "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." There are several issues holding things up. However, Williams doesn't have an NFLPA-certified agent, so it's unknown who is orchestrating things behind the scenes on his behalf. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick has plenty of pressure on him heading into his inaugural year, especially since he is replacing Justin Fields, a move that didn't sit well with some. With that said, Williams is expected to have more than a few impressive rookie showings, although fantasy managers should expect growing pains.

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore's current contract runs through the 2025 season, so nothing is urgent at this time, but he's currently 17th among wideouts in terms of average salary and is coming off a career year in his first year in Chicago in which he caught 96 passes on 136 targets for a career-high 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 17 starts. Moore has become one of the faces of the franchise, and general manager Ryan Poles might want to reward him with a new deal sooner than later. Fellow receiver Keenan Allen will be a free agent after the 2024 season and is likely to enter the year on an expiring contract, as the Bears want to see what he has left at 32 before considering keeping him around beyond one year. Moore certainly has more competition for targets with Allen around now, but he's a pretty safe WR2 target this fall.

Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert could find himself on the roster bubble as the summer continues, according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic. During a new 53-man roster projection, Jahns and Kevin Fishbain tabbed Herbert to make the team out of training camp, but Jahns also wrote that "it wouldn't be surprising if Herbert is considered on the bubble at Halas Hall." The 26-year-old appeared in one dozen games last year, rushing for 611 yards and two touchdowns on 132 carries. He also added 20 catches, 134 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. While he certainly showed flashes of meaningful production in 2023, he lost opportunities to Justin Fields at times. Fields is now gone, but he's been replaced by Caleb Williams, who is still mobile enough to make plays happen with his legs. Most importantly, though, the Bears signed D'Andre Swift, who will enter Week 1 as the starting running back, barring an unforeseen development. Therefore, Herbert, who is entering a contract year, could become expendable as the Bears opt to give more reps to Swift and second-year back Roschon Johnson.

The Chicago Bears are signing wide receiver DeAndre Carter, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 2015 undrafted free agent has spent time with nine NFL organizations, including the Bears in 2020. Overall, the 31-year-old has tallied 108 receptions for 1,259 yards and six touchdowns. However, he has returned 132 punts and 118 kickoffs in 94 career games, so that's likely why Chicago was interested in bringing him in. Carter is likely to compete with third-year wideout Velus Jones Jr. for return-man duties, a role that could be more important following the updated kickoff rules in 2024. With DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze on the roster, it'd be a surprise if Carter makes an impact as a receiver.

Free-agent tight end Marcedes Lewis agreed to a one-year deal with the Bears. The veteran, who will be entering his 19th NFL season, played for the Jaguars and Packers before spending last season with Chicago. However, he didn't do much for fantasy managers, amassing just four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. With Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett on the roster, Lewis should continue to have a tough time getting involved, meaning he won't see much attention from fantasy managers heading into the 2024-25 campaign.