Likely future Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams caused a lot of attention on social media on April 23, as he was on his way to the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit. Williams is expected to be chosen by Chicago at No. 1 overall, but there are doubts about what Chicago will do with its No. 9 overall pick.
Wide receiver Rome Odunze is one name that’s been linked to the Bears in many mock drafts. Odunze is expected to be a top 10 pick, and has met with the Bears as a top 30 candidate.
Whether he was having fun or subtly arguing for the Bears to select Odunze at nine, Williams shared the following message on X, formerly Twitter: “Oh shoot you all I just saw Rome Odunze on my flight to Detroit!! Big fan!”
Not to be outdone, Odunze responded with jokes. “I’m actually the pilot this morning. Don’t worry I’ll get Caleb to Detroit SAFELY!” Odunze wrote.
The pair then took a photo together after arriving in the Motor City:
Landed safely in Detroit 😅@RomeOdunze @CALEBcsw https://t.co/ZqbdHD1aks pic.twitter.com/m6g2vJaFIg
— NFL (@NFL) April 23, 2024
Bears Fans React to Caleb Williams & Rome Odunze’s Social Media Interaction
Naturally, Bears Nation had some thoughts and emotions about Williams’ post, which was seen over 3.1 million times at the time of publication.
“Caleb, don’t just tease us like this,” Robert Schmitz of Da Bears Blog wrote.
“Won’t be your last flight together,” one Bears fan wrote.
Former Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long re-posted Williams, writing: “Even if he misses his flight today he made his connection.”
There were also plenty of GIFs:
And images:
Bears GM Ryan Poles Shared Some Revealing Comments About Williams
When speaking with the media on April 23, Poles wouldn’t openly admit the team was drafting Williams, but he continued to praise the former USC star, as he had in previous press conferences.
When bringing Williams in for a visit earlier in April, Poles and the Bears chose to have the rookie QB meet with several team leaders, including wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker T.J. Edwards and tight end Cole Kmet.
Poles says that interaction between Williams and current Bears players was extremely beneficial, not to mention revealing.
“That part, getting him with some of our players, that was important to us,” Poles said. “We’re in a really good place with our culture in our locker room. As much as I can, I want those guys a part of the process of building this team. I trust their feedback and I think that chemistry is really important so that’s why we did that.”
The Bears GM also spoke highly of Williams’s football IQ.
“Really intelligent guy,” Poles added, in reference to Williams. “Came across as a really good teammate, easy to talk to, down to earth. … He’s all ball, wants to work, wants to get better, wants to win as a team. That’s the No. 1 thing for him on top of being successful. I think the biggest thing is: Does he fit in our culture and what we’re trying to do? And all signs were that he does, so that was positive.”
