Caleb Williams made a strong impression on the Cincinnati Bengals during their joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Thursday. After a slow start with an interception, he rebounded with three touchdown passes and some strong team periods despite rainy conditions. It was exactly what Bears fans had hoped to hear. However, the good news doesn’t stop there. In the mad frenzy to learn about what their young quarterback was doing, it was easy to forget other members of the draft class were on the field as well.
Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated was in attendance for the practice, watching the Bears offense go against the Bengals defense. He confirmed that Williams looked good, but another rookie stole the show at certain moments: Rome Odunze.
“Odunze certainly looks the part at 6’3” and 215 pounds, and he handled business against the Bengals’ secondary. The Washington product consistently worked open both on quick-release and downfield routes, at one point beating Cincinnati corner Dax Hill on a slant that would have gone for huge yardage in a game setting.
In Chicago, Odunze will likely be the third target in the passing game while he learns the offense, taking a smaller target share than veterans Moore and Allen. But when he reaches his ceiling, look out.”
This is precisely the situation the Bears wanted to create. Moore and Allen gave Cincinnati problems the entire practice. As a result, Odunze was often matched up against their less-skilled defensive backs. It went as you would expect.
The Chicago Bears finally have options.
That has been one of the most consistent challenges for this organization going back decades. Sure, they’d have one really good offensive weapon at times, maybe two. They’ve rarely been able to assemble an entire group of legitimate options for their quarterback. GM Ryan Poles has finally succeeded where others failed. Moore, Allen, and Odunze are a talented and diverse trio that can win in a variety of different ways. This is before you mention Cole Kmet, who has a case for being a top-10 tight end.
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Don’t forget D’Andre Swift and Gerald Everett as well. Both are threats in the passing game if left unattended. Williams will have loads of options at his disposal, far more than any quarterback in recent Chicago Bears history. The only group close to this one is 2013-2014, with Bradon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, and Matt Forte. Yet this current group is probably deeper. If Odunze gets off to a fast start, the Bears won’t be somebody other teams want to play.
