The Chicago Bears enjoyed a dreamlike scenario in the 2024 NFL Draft when they selected former Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze at No. 9 overall after drafting franchise quarterback Caleb Williams with the top overall pick. A recent reveal indicates Bears general manager Ryan Poles was willing to trade up to ensure he landed Odunze.
In a new clip from Roku’s show “NFL Draft: The Pick Is In,” Poles is seen making a call to Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot about trading a future fourth-round selection to move up one spot from No. 9 to No. 8.
“Would you move back one spot? Is that in the cards, or?” Poles asked Fontenot. “Like a future fourth (-round pick). We did the same thing with Philly [Eagles] last year.”
What's puzzling is that Fontenot shows little to no interest in making the slight move down. The Falcons stayed put and drafted Odunze's former teammate and quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., at No. 8 overall. Surely, Fontenot knew the Bears wouldn't draft Penix Jr. after taking Williams. The Falcons either feared Poles would then trade the pick to another QB-needy team or feared the narrative that Penix wasn't their guy because they traded down before drafting him.
MORE: 2021 NFL Draft Do-Over - Here's who the Chicago Bears could've had
Still, both theories are a stretch, as it's difficult to comprehend why the Falcons wouldn't welcome an opportunity to acquire a future mid-round pick while still drafting Penix Jr. at ninth overall. It worked out well for the Bears, who still got Odunze and later used a similar future mid-round selection to move up for Kansas EDGE Austin Booker.
Poles dodged a bullet.
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