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'I like the numbers.' Why the Bears are increasingly excited about their draft options at No. 9.

Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune on

Published in Football

“I talk to Caleb all the time,” Nabers said during his formal Q&A session with reporters at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “He always talks about how I’m a great receiver.”

What if Nabers and Williams had the chance to unite on a bigger stage next season as a rookie QB-WR duo for the Bears? What if the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner could grow over the next several years with a pass catcher who had 1,569 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season?

“I’m happy to go anywhere I’m wanted,” Nabers said, “to be one of those receivers that move around and they can give me the ball.”

Odunze also seemed energized by the possibility of uniting with Williams in Chicago. Odunze’s Huskies faced Williams’ Trojans in November and in that game — a Washington win — Williams threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns while propelling USC to 42 points.

“I got to see Caleb firsthand,” Odunze said. “I got to see his talents and abilities. I know he’s a student of the game and someone who brings a lot of passion and a lot of desire to the game. So, of course, to be paired up with him would be something special.”

Indeed, this is a football dreamer’s time of year with the always long pre-draft runway providing countless intriguing possibilities.

 

Talking points

In most years, the options for the Bears at No. 9 would be all anyone in Chicago would be talking about, enamored with the variety of choices — most of them attractive — when Poles goes on the clock for that pick around 8:15 p.m. April 25.

Still, because of the everyday coverage the Bears quarterback situation has commanded, the chatter surrounding the No. 9 pick was diminished all winter.

Make no mistake, though, that selection, the one the Bears landed after finishing 7-10 last season, has a chance to be franchise-changing, adding to whatever jackpot Poles uses the No. 1 pick to collect.

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