Bears' Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze equal draft smash success? Here's how you voted
Brand-new Bear Caleb Williams celebrates with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after going No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.
Jeff Roberson/AP
Chicago sports fans rejoiced Thursday night.
Most of ’em, anyway.
It would be hard to imagine a Bears draft night going over better than this one did, with the team grabbing USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall and Washington receiver Rome Odunze at No. 9.
In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the site formerly known as Twitter, we invited voters to sum up those selections.
“Dynamic duo incoming!” @DeFiG1rl commented.
“A great night,” @1978Irish called it.
Though @CapsNorth did submit that the Bears’ best first round ever was in 1965, when they took Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers back-to-back at Nos. 3 and 4. It’s hard to argue with that thinking.
Also, we asked if D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen or Odunze will be the team’s top receiver in 2024.
“Whomever Caleb picks,” @sizzerb23 countered.
Last, we asked if the Bears will be better on offense or defense.
“It’s pretty obvious,” @JamesHammersmi4 wrote. “They haven’t addressed the defense.”
On to the polls:
Poll No. 1: Sum up the Bears’ first-round selections of quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in three words.
It’s time for this week’s “Polling Place.” Let us hear from you! Selected comments will appear in Saturday's paper.
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) April 26, 2024
Poll No. 1: Sum up the Bears’ first-round selections of quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in three words.
Upshot: Bears fans haven’t been this high on life since Devin Hester was running that opening kickoff back in the Super Bowl. That was kind of a long time ago, you know. Anyway, the point here is — ahem — Williams better not blow it.
Poll No. 2: Who will be the Bears’ best wide receiver in 2024?
Poll No. 2: Who will be the Bears’ best wide receiver in 2024?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) April 26, 2024
Upshot: “People are sleeping on Keenan Allen,” @DeyoSahler chimed in. “He’s always money.” He’s six-Pro-Bowls-in-the-last-seven-years money, matter of fact. Moore could get a run for his money.
Poll No. 3: On which side of the ball will the Bears be better in 2024?
Poll No. 3: On which side of the ball will the Bears be better in 2024?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) April 26, 2024
Upshot: If you ask @BabooBott678, “70% are wrong.” The Bears’ “D” was pretty wicked down the stretch last season. If the offense is going to be the better unit, hopefully it’ll be because they’re both excelling.