Chicago Bears Make Historic Signing, Inking All-Pro Left Tackle to Record-Breaking $290.8M Deal
In what is being hailed as one of the most jaw-dropping deals in NFL history, the Chicago Bears have officially signed a former Philadelphia Eagles standout and current Cleveland Browns franchise left tackle to a staggering five-year, $290.8 million contract. The deal, confirmed early this morning by ESPN, follows intense speculation after the 4-time All-Pro reportedly turned down a three-year, $140.7 million offer from the San Francisco 49ers.
This move sends shockwaves across the league, marking the highest total value and average annual salary ever awarded to an offensive lineman. The identity of the player, kept under wraps during the initial hours of the report, has now been confirmed as none other than Jedrick Wills Jr., who has blossomed into one of the league’s most dominant blindside protectors since being drafted by the Browns in 2020.
Sources close to the situation say the Bears’ front office had been aggressively pursuing a franchise-caliber left tackle in order to solidify their offensive line and provide better protection for quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With this monumental signing, Chicago appears to be going all-in on transforming their offense into a true powerhouse.
“Chicago is committed to winning now,” a league executive told ESPN. “This kind of deal doesn’t happen unless you’re building around a future MVP-caliber quarterback and putting all the right pieces in place.”
According to cap experts, the contract includes $185 million guaranteed and a massive $70 million signing bonus. It will count heavily against the Bears’ salary cap in the first three years, but the team has reportedly structured it to remain flexible in future years, anticipating the potential rise of the salary cap and increased TV revenue.
This development comes just days after rumors swirled around the 49ers’ aggressive pursuit of Wills. San Francisco, fresh off another NFC Championship appearance, was hoping to bolster their offensive line but was ultimately outbid. The Browns, meanwhile, had been in negotiations with Wills for over a year and were blindsided by the sheer scale of Chicago’s offer, leading them to reluctantly allow him to test the open market.
Reaction from NFL players and analysts has been swift and intense. “Historic. Unreal. The tackle market just got blown up,” tweeted ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Former NFL lineman and analyst Joe Thomas called the contract “a game-changer for how teams value elite protection.”
Wills, who is expected to be formally introduced by the Bears in a press conference later this week, released a brief statement: “Chicago believed in me from the jump. I’m ready to help bring a championship to this city.”
The Bears, who have long struggled to field a consistent offensive line, now possess arguably the most valuable tackle in football. With a revamped offensive line, young star weapons, and a generational rookie quarterback, Chicago’s window to contend may have just opened wider than ever before.
