Alarming Development May Spell Trouble for Bears’ Draft Picks

The Chicago Bears had high hopes following the 2025 NFL Draft, and still do, with a promising haul that included three second-round selections: wide receiver Luther Burden III (No. 39), offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (No. 56), and defensive tackle Shemar Turner (No. 62). But as training camp looms, a disturbing trend is unfolding. None of the Bears’ second-round picks have signed their rookie contracts.

While rookie deals are often formalities, this year’s second round has proven to be an outlier.

Trouble Brewing for the Bears’ Draft Picks as Rookie Contract Disputes Stall Signings

GettyChicago Bears’ rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo.

Across the league, 222 of the 257 drafted players have signed their rookie contracts. Only two first-round picks remain unsigned, yet an alarming 30 of the 35 unsigned picks are clustered in the second round. For a team like Chicago, with not one, not two, but three second-round rookies, this contract limbo could be more than just a minor hiccup; it may be the first ripple in a wave of complications that could impact player development and team chemistry heading into the 2025 season.

The root of the problem lies with the Houston Texans. They signed their second-round pick, Jayden Higgins, to a fully guaranteed contract, making him the first second-rounder in NFL history to ever have a fully guaranteed contract. The Cleveland Browns quickly did the same thing with their second-round pick, Carson Schwesinger, also fully guaranteeing his contract. Their deals broke new ground, creating leverage for other agents to push for more aggressive terms.

Another dilemma unfolding is from the New Orleans Saints’ second-round pick, quarterback Tyler Shough. According to sources from CBS, Shough is “insisting” on a fully guaranteed contract since he is expecting to be the Saints’ starting quarterback. Agents are paying close attention to his situation because the NFLPA keeps the agents “abreast” of key developments in a draft round that could have major implications for other second-round picks.

If Shough can get his wish, that could be yet another bump in the negotiations for the second-round picks and their agents.

Why It Matters for the Bears

GettyChicago Bears’ rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner.

It could be an over exaggeration, but these are players who are expected to contribute immediately. Potentially missing valuable time in the offseason due to contract disputes can stall their assimilation into the system, delay chemistry-building with teammates, and even cost them a starting spot by Week 1. From an outside perspective, these rookies seem like they have good intentions and want to be on the field with their teammates, but contract disputes may be out of their control, and they may have no choice but to stay off the field until they’ve signed their rookie contract.

Worse yet, the Bears may find themselves forced into a financially and philosophically uncomfortable situation. Should Shough land a fully guaranteed contract, pressure will mount on Chicago to match that structure, especially for Burden, who was picked just one spot after Shough.

If Burden’s camp uses Shough’s deal (should it materialize) as a benchmark, it could prompt a delay in the signings of Trapilo and Turner as well. The Bears are far from the only team in this predicament, but their situation is unique due to the volume and potential importance of their unsigned second-round picks. Either way, the outcome of this standoff may not just shape the Bears’ 2025 draft class but the future of rookie contract negotiations altogether.