In the dog days of the NFL offseason, the confidence inside the Chicago Bearsâ locker room continues to grow. Wide receiver Rome Odunze made that very clear.
Speaking with Caleb Downs and Josh Downs on the Down 2 Business podcast, the young wideout didnât hold back when talking about Chicagoâs offense heading into 2026.
âCaleb with his playmaking ability, we have Luther, C-Love, we got several different positions. We got Kyle Monangai,â Odunze said. âI think weâre number one right now.â
Itâs a bold statement, but it reflects how this group views itself right now.
Everything starts with Caleb Williams. His playmaking ability is what ties the entire offense together. Whether itâs extending plays or creating outside of structure, he gives the Bears something theyâve been missing.
Around him, the young talent is starting to stack up.
Odunze is a big part of that, but heâs not alone.
Luther Burden brings explosiveness, Colston Loveland gives them a versatile option at tight end, and Kyle Monangai adds another layer out of the backfield. “Itâs a group that can line up in different ways and attack defenses from multiple angles”, as Odunze described
Thatâs what stands out the most. This isnât just a collection of young players. Itâs a group that fits together and is starting to build real chemistry.
Bears Young Core Building Real Momentum
Odunze saw it firsthand last season.
He finished the 2025 season with 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns across 12 games, averaging 15.0 yards per catch, which ranked 10th in the NFL among qualified receivers. He had two games over 110 yards, and five of his six touchdowns came in the first four games of the season.
There were stretches where the connection between the two stood out. You could see the timing developing and the comfort growing week to week. Thatâs usually the hardest part for a young quarterback and receiver pairing, and they were already showing signs of figuring it out.
It also showed what Odunze can be at this level.
Heâs not just a possession receiver. He can stretch the field, create after the catch and win in contested situations.
Those are traits that translate, and theyâre a big reason why the Bears believe he can take another step forward in 2026.
Staying Healthy Will be Crucial for Bears
However, the biggest thing holding him back last season was availability.
Odunze missed five games last season with a stress fracture in his foot, sitting out the final stretch of the regular season before returning for the playoffs.
Odunze needs a full, consistent season without injuries to take that next step.
Inside the building, the Bears believe they already have the pieces. Odunze saying theyâre ânumber oneâ might sound bold on the outside, but it lines up with how this group sees itself.
Now itâs about going out and proving it.
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