After adding Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Ryan Poles is adding another lethal weapon for the young quarterback.
The Chicago Bears selected Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Odunze was the third receiver off the board following Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers.
In an offseason that saw the Bears trade a 2024 4th-round selection to the Los Angeles Chargers for Keenan Allen, Bears GM Ryan Poles still opted to bolster the receiving corps with the best available offensive player at No. 9.
At Washington, Odunze tallied 1,640 yards receiving in 2023 along with 13 touchdowns, averaging 17.8 yards per catch.
With Caleb Williams leading the new-look Bears offense, Odunze turns an already impressive receivers’ room with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen into an elite one.
Rome Odunze is the first wide receiver drafted by the Bears in the first round since Ryan Pace selected Kevin White with the No. 7 overall pick in 2015.
Williams, Odunze usher in new era, style of Bears football
Adding Odunze after adding Caleb Williams earlier on Thursday night sends quite the message from Ryan Poles — it’s a commitment to break the cycle of failed quarterbacks in Chicago.
Buddy Ryan’s 46 Defense succeeded because it attacked from every angle. Teams could double up on Steve McMichael or Richard Dent, but that left room for Dan Hampton and Mike Singletary. If you somehow covered all four, who has Otis Wilson or Gary Fencik?
Ryan Poles might as well be creating the 46 Offense for 2024. Rome Odunze joins a loaded group of skill players on the Bears offense. If you allocate two defenders for DJ Moore or Keenan Allen, who has Odunze, Cole Kmet, or Gerald Everett? D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson can feast out of the backfield, too.
Attacking and overwhelming from all angles gives Caleb Williams the chance to break multiple Bears franchise records in his rookie year. Odunze only bolsters what should be sky-high expectations.
Building (chemistry with) Rome in a day
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday that Odunze had recently worked out with Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, and Keenan Allen. The idea of Williams getting work in with three of his future weapons in April should excite Bears fans.
Williams and Odunze arriving together in Chicago felt like a pipe dream for many — even Caleb. When Roger Goodell announced the Washington wide receiver as the No. 9 overall pick, Caleb Williams exclaimed, “we got our guy.”
When asked about the opportunity to play with Caleb Williams in Chicago, Odunze said, “To be able to catch balls from him and compete right beside him, it’s a special thing.”
