Ryan Poles confirms Rome Odunze was at top of team’s list for No. 9 pick

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles appeared on The Pat McAfee show on Wednesday and confirmed what most Bears fans thought was the case throughout the 2024 NFL Draft season: If wide receiver Rome Odunze slipped to the ninth pick, he was a lock to be a Bear.

Poles said there was “no chance” the Chicago Bears were trading out of the No. 9 pick once Odunze became available.

“Rome Odunze was at the top of our list and there’s certain guys you don’t pass on..

He’s one of them and there was never a thought of moving” ~ Ryan Poles #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/yNmxVruyi2

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2024

Odunze was long considered one of the top players in the 2024 NFL draft, regardless of position. The fact he happened to be in the same draft class as Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 4 overall to the Arizona Cardinals) and Malik Nabers (No. 6 overall to the New York Giants) worked in the Bears’ favor. There’s no way he would’ve slipped to the ninth pick in any other NFL draft year.

Rome Odunze joins a loaded Bears offense that already features a dynamic wide receiver tandem in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Tight end Cole Kmet could have a career year with all of the coverage drawn to the wideouts, and running back D’Andre Swift offers the best combination of rushing and receiving ability since Matt Forte.

Most important is the addition of quarterback Caleb Williams, who will ensure the revamped Bears offense is humming.

For the first time in a very, very long time, the Chicago Bears offense will be must-see TV.