Bears' Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze equal draft smash success? Here's how you voted

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.

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?

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?

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.