The Bears are giving rookie quarterback Caleb Williams as many options as possible down the field. They drafted Washington standout wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick Thursday, following their selection of Williams first overall.
Odunze led the NCAA with 1,640 yards receiving last season on 92 catches and scored 14 offensive touchdowns. There was debate over whether he or LSU’s Malik Nabers was the second-best receiver in this class after Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr.
It’s a huge pick for Bears general manager Ryan Poles at what has been a problematic position. He thought he had stacked his wide receiver room last year with DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool, but Claypool was a disaster and Mooney struggled before leaving to the Falcons in free agency.
Now, with Moore, Keenan Allen and Odunze, the Bears have an excellent trio of receivers for Williams, along with tight end Cole Kmet and running back D’Andre Swift.
The Bears tried an ill-fated apprenticeship plan with Mitch Trubisky in 2017 (behind Mike Glennon) and Justin Fields in 2021 (behind Andy Dalton). But the 2024 Bears are set up for Williams as the Week 1 starter.
By Mark Potash
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“My last goal is immortality,” Williams said two hours after the Bears made him their first-ever No. 1 overall pick at quarterback. “The only way to reach that is winning championships.’'
By Patrick Finley
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They’ll go into Williams’ rookie season with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Odunze at wide receiver.
By Jason Lieser
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Here’s where all the year’s top rookies are heading for the upcoming NFL season.
The position has been a headache for Poles, but now he has stacked DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Odunze for incoming quarterback Caleb Williams.
By Jason Lieser
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Painting his nails helps Caleb Williams relax.
By Patrick Finley
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