It’s not a matter of if, but when Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze will emerge as the team’s WR1. Drafted in the first round with quarterback Caleb Williams, the plan is for both of them to spend the next decade-plus in Chicago forming one of the most dominant QB/WR duos the league has ever seen.
And despite the Bears having their struggles last season, Odunze was the third-highest in receiving yards among all NFL players who finished third on their team in targets, with 734 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie campaign.
That said, there’s been an unbelievable amount of hype surrounding the second-year wideout, and it’ll only continue to grow as the season nears.
The Expectations are Skyrocketing for Rome Odunze
GettyRome Odunze is slated for a huge sophomore season.
The love doesn’t stop here for Odunze. Several major websites are pinning him down as a breakout candidate for next season:
- Bleacher Report: “Odunze should be the Bears’ WR1 for the foreseeable future. His ability to play all of the receiver positions to create unique matchups for exploitation should help Williams with pre-snap coverage recognition. Odunze finished his rookie campaign with 54 receptions, 734 yards, and three touchdowns. Not a bad season for the rookie. This statline is a key reason, he is a breakout candidate.”
- The Athletic: It’s cliché to choose the second-year, top-10 pick. But Odunze’s rookie season seemed more disappointing than it actually was. He was fifth among rookies in receiving yards (734) and caught only 53.5 percent of passes thrown his way. However, Odunze served as an example of the inconsistency that plagued the 2024 Bears offense. If Odunze didn’t meet outside expectations, it’s not because he was dropping passes or running poor routes. With a better scheme and improved quarterback play, he should take off in Year 2. — Kevin Fishbain
- NFL.com: “Ben Johnson’s arrival and Caleb Williams’ expected development should result in increased production for the Bears’ WR2 in 2025. As a big-bodied playmaker with sticky hands and rugged running skills, Odunze can excel as a possession receiver in a ball-control offense that frequently targets the middle of the field. With Williams instructed to play on time, the QB should find the second-year receiver early and often, with opponents forced to defend a multi-faceted attack that efficiently mixes run and pass plays with a creative approach.”
It seems like the stars are aligning for Odunze to have a breakout year, but that doesn’t mean his teammates won’t have their opportunities to shine either.
Growing Together on Offense
There’s a synergy that’s taking place in an offense with a lot of mouths to feed. D.J. Moore, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland are all expected to get the ball thrown their way often next season. And with Moore being the alpha in the WR room, there’s a special bond between him and Odunze, not built up tension over who will be the guy on offense.
“I think we’ve had a year to grow and kind of get to know each other, and that’s been awesome,” Odunze said. “DJ is my guy; he has a beautiful family, so just going over there and chopping it up with them and being around DJ as a whole, I think, is great for my development as a person and a player. As a younger player, hopefully I can bring him a different energy and vibe. I think we play off each other not only off the field but on the field as well. Wide receiver is a selfless job at some points, and you have to run certain things to get other people open. Do your job so that way the play works efficiently.”
There’s no doubt that the Bears will run into growing pains on offense with a new system under Ben Johnson. And there might be games where Odunze isn’t a major factor in the offense. But there’s also no doubt Odunze possesses both the mindset and skill set to become a dominant receiver in the NFL. With the help of Moore and company, it’s only a matter of time until he shows the world why the Bears drafted him with the ninth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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