If we’ve learned anything about GM Ryan Poles over the past three off-seasons, it’s that he has a keen understanding of how to manipulate the media to his advantage. Leading up to the 2024 draft, there were serious rumblings about the Chicago Bears having an interest in trading down from #9. It made sense. They only had four picks, which is far below average. Besides, the odds were good Poles would still be able to land a quality pass rusher later in the 1st round. However, once again, the Bears GM had everybody fooled. When the time came to make a move, Chicago stayed put and took Rome Odunze.
Poles was asked about it during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. He made it clear that the Bears had a select few names on their board that were categorized as blue or “elite.” Odunze was one of them. If the Washington wide receiver reached #9, the team had zero intentions of moving down. All the way up until the decisive moment, Poles felt it was a 50/50 chance the receiver would be there. He was such a great combination of size, speed, and character. Once he got past Tennessee at #7 and Atlanta at #8, the Bears didn’t need any time to deliberate.
It would’ve been so easy to trade down. The allure is always there. More picks equals more chances to find good players, right? However, there comes a time when the talent on the board is too good to pass up. Odunze draws regular comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald and Davante Adams. If he ends up achieving even 70% of what those two superstars have, the pick will be considered a massive home run. Poles understood this. Sure, he would’ve liked more picks, but his goal is to find great players. Everything told him Odunze was destined to become one.
This is another reminder that the Bears GM isn’t a slave to any singular philosophy. He approaches each draft differently based on the talent available, where his team picks, and what might be coming down the pipeline in the next year or two. Poles knew he had nine picks waiting for him in 2025, including three in the first two rounds. It’s not like his coffers were completely empty. If ever there was a time to go after top-tier talents, it was now. Rome Odunze fits that category.
