Chicago Bears select QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze with 1st-round picks in 2024 NFL Draft
La Grange Park native QB JJ McCarthy drafted by Minnesota Vikings
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams on Thursday with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Bears had another first-round pick in the draft. They used it to select Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze as the No. 9 overall pick
La Grange Park, Illinois, native and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round.
Many fans who gathered at Soldier Field Thursday called the night a watershed moment for the franchise.
This isn't the first time a Bears quarterback has come into the organization with high expectations, but many fans told ABC7 they just have a feeling this time will be different.
I'm ready.Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears quarterback
Bears fans piled into Soldier Field Thursday evening ahead of the draft as the Monsters of the Midway had two first-round draft picks for the first time in decades. Selecting Williams is a moment that fans said could be a game changer for the franchise.
"This is the greatest day in the history of the franchise other than when they won the Super Bowl in 1985," ESPN Chicago Radio's David Kaplan said Thursday morning.
Bears hype was reaching a fever pitch Thursday morning, just hours before the team drafted the former USC quarterback and Heisman winner at the very start of the first round of the NFL Draft in Detroit.
"I haven't been with a football team since November 18, so that's the toughest part for me and something I really want to get back to get in a locker room," Caleb Williams previously said.
Williams made an appearance on the draft red carpet in Detroit ahead of the start of the draft to show off his look for the evening.
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For those who couldn't be in Detroit for the draft, the watch party at Soldier Field was probably the next best thing for Bears fans.
"Tonight is a dream, like I haven't had a quarterback my entire life, and now my son is going to wake up to an incredible quarterback in Caleb Williams," Bears fan Greg Feltes said.
VIP tickets were available for the United Club at Soldier Field, where ESPN Chicago radio broadcasted the draft from. They remotely interviewed Williams, who appeared via hologram from Detroit and promised fans a new generation of winning.
"It's great. I'm ready. I'm ready," Williams said.
The pick wasn't a surprise, but that did not diminish the excitement felt by Bears fans.
"It's surreal to be on the field to see that happen on the big screen, all the applause around us," Bears fan Chris Nemeh said. "Really excited for this moment in Bears history."
Thousands gathered for a sold-out Soldier Field watch party, soaking up all things Bears.
"Hopefully it's their turnaround switch from being a stinky team," Bears fan Allan Swanson said.
"Let's Bear down! We're ready for it! We're ready for it! We're ready for everybody," Bears fan Terry Dunlap said. "And we're going to beat the Packers! Both games this year!"
"It's about time we get a franchise QB, and we're ready for that 30-plus touchdowns from Caleb Williams, year one," Bears fan Steve Albergo said.
An hour after the Williams pick, fans lauded the choice of the Bears' new wide receiver Odunze.
"This is it. This is the start of a new franchise," Bears fan Sean Zingsheim said. "Time to rebuild, and take... the old Bears are gone. This is the new Bears."
The excitement was also very visible in west suburban La Grange Park, where University of Michigan quarterback and Nazareth Academy graduate J.J. McCarthy was among the top ten selected.
His former Nazareth coach Tim Rack called him a leader on and off the field.
"More importantly how he comported himself off the field, in the classroom," Rack said. "Even kids that didn't play football cheered for him because he is such a nice, humble unassuming kid."
Ahead of the draft starting, people had lined up to get into Soldier Field to watch the draft among fellow Bears fans, along with a number of players.
"And it's been a long time, a long time of suffering, a long time of like, 'is this the quarterback? No, it's not,' but this year is unlike any other," fan Ali Rothschild said.
By the time the draft rolled around, about 5,000 fans are expected to be at soldier field. The draft was shown on the jumbotrons, and there was also interactive games on the field. Fans had a chance to meet some of the Bears players too.
"I really think they've got all the stars aligning here, with the right people in the administrative and executive positions, and they're making great decisions, and I think this is going to be a major change today," Bears fan Kevin Maynard said.
The team said the event sold out weeks ago, and it's all because of the excitement surrounding the No. 1 overall pick.
"I'm really excited for everything's that going to happen tonight, and I'm going to partake in everything that I possibly can and just let it all soak in," Bears fan Marquita Schaeffer said.
Rob Davis passed the time waiting for the gates to open by tossing the football with his 7-year-old daughter Payton. She's named after Walter Payton. Davis was at Soldier Field to watch the start of what many fans hope will be the road to the next Bears Super Bowl team.
"This is gonna be the draft that movies the Bears future forward," Davis said. "Caleb comes in... we beat Green Bay, win the division, and get to the Super Bowl."
Among the crowds was fan Jerry Daughty and his son Bobby, who drove ten hours from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, to be in Chicago to watch.
"Being able to be here and actually being able to see it first hand is gonna be incredible," Bobby said.
It was father-son bonding time for them, and they're hoping to get some autographs on the Bears helmet they brought.
"It's a once in a lifetime thing," Jerry said. "I've been a die-hard Bears fan since the day I was born."
It was the calm before the storm early Thursday afternoon for Victory Tap in the South Loop.
"I think this is the year they can really take a step forward, if they do the right things at quarterback," said Jason Wedner with Victory Tap.
The bar expected a big crowd of Bears fans to watch the draft.
"In this case, it's universally accepted that Caleb Williams is the best prospect," retired sportswriter Fred Mitchell said.
Since the Bears had two first-round picks, many are hoping for a return to the legendary 1965 draft, when the team picked future hall of famers in running back Gale Sayer and legendary middle linebacker Dick Butkus with their first two picks. Unfortunately, that dynamic duo never won a championship.
"Chicago has a sports problem," said Shannon Taushman with Firehouse Restuarant. "We need this win... need another Super Bowl. We need a generational Bears win."
It's been just over two decades since the Bears had two first round picks.
"You're talking about taking a team that was irrelevant in terms of competing for titles and making them one of the favorites in the league going forward," Kaplan said.
Life-long Bears fan Preston Braxton said with the Bears having first dibs at the draft, it could usher in a new era of Bears football.
"Saw them when they won their first Super Bowl," Braxton said. "The Bears mean a lot to me. It could definitely lift the city, it's been awhile since '85. It would definitely bring back the city."
Round 1 of the draft began at 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC7. Rounds 2 and 3 will start at 6 p.m. Friday, with Rounds 4-7 getting underway at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
