Photo: Craig Strobeck/USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NFL Draft is less than 48 hours away, and the Chicago Bears are getting ready for a major change to the franchise. With plans for a new stadium and green space on the lakefront being introduced on Wednesday and the draft's first round on Thursday, the time for a new direction of a charter franchise is now, both on and off the field.

Bolstered by ideal NFL Draft positioning, the Bears are eyeing an electric 2024 season. Presumed top pick Caleb Williams is expected to be the new face of the franchise, but many are wondering what the Bears might do with the ninth overall selection. Insert Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, who reportedly had an intimate session with current and future Bears in Los Angeles.

According to the prospect, he attended a throwing session in LA with current Bears receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. More importantly, the quarterback throwing to the trio was Williams. It appears there's a chance the Bears will add another playmaker to complement their current veterans and new franchise quarterback.

Although a lot needs to go right for Odunze to fall, there's enough faith that the former Huskie will be available at No. 9 for this throwing session to happen. Many top teams are expected to select quarterbacks, and premier prospects at other positions should also be available. Unless a team surprises the masses between picks four and eight, the Bears should be in position to add another weapon for Williams with Odunze at No. 9. 

Previous reports suggested the Bears are targeting one of the top three receivers, a group that includes the Washington product. Wednesday's report further backs that notion. Now, the Bears need to see how the cards fall. For Odunze, he very well may know what colors he'll be wearing moving forward given the offseason activities discussed in this report.

What's On Tap Next?

The Bears will be on the clock at 7:00 PM CT on Thursday from Detroit, Michigan. Presumed No. 1 pick Caleb Williams will be the first selection of the 2024 NFL Draft and the face of a new era for Bears football.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Timberwolves mount incredible second-half comeback to stun Nuggets in Game 7
Watch: NASCAR drivers exchange punches after crash in All-Star Race
Knicks star offers passionate defense of HC Tom Thibodeau after Game 7 loss
Xander Schauffele proves doubters wrong with historic win at 2024 PGA Championship
Canucks won't have linchpin forward for Game 7 vs. Oilers
Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.