Progress aside, Bears WR Rome Odunze calls his performance in Year 2 'definitely disappointing'
It’d be difficult to find a more cheerful player in the Bears’ locker room than wide receiver Rome Odunze, a bright-eyed 23-year-old who usually is all smiles and eagerly engages in any conversation. But he was sullen as players packed up their belongings after the Rams knocked them out of the playoffs.
The Bears’ thrill ride of a season wasn’t so wonderful for him. He loved all the winning, of course, but as others in the locker room spoke optimistically about the team’s future, Odunze was sullen and couldn’t shake the feeling that he underperformed.
He’s a tough grader in calling his season “definitely disappointing” considering he was the Bears’ leading receiver before foot injuries derailed him. He emerged as their clear No. 1 receiver with 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns through 12 games, which gave him a shot at a 1,000-yard season at the time, and played through plantar fasciitis and a stress fracture in his right foot to catch four passes for 88 yards in the playoffs.
Odunze was fixated on what he didn’t do, though, and was especially down on himself about dropping a pass inside the Rams’ 5-yard line on the opening drive Sunday. He felt that was a continuation of lapses that bothered him throughout the season.
“I had way too many opportunities I left out there on the field, and that’s not been the player I’ve ever been in my career,” Odunze said. “I’ve got to go into the offseason and put in the work to do those things.
“It wasn't the season I wanted to have... It really hurts just not coming through in some of those moments throughout the whole season. It's not just [the Rams game].; It's several different plays.”
Odunze eased off himself a little and acknowledged his contribution to the Bears leaping from 5-12 with the worst offense in the NFL to No. 6 in total offense and a spot in the divisional round of the playoffs.
But his standards are high. And so are the Bears’ for a player they picked ninth in the 2024 draft.
Odunze has always had some cover because the Bears got him in the same draft in which they took quarterback Caleb Williams first overall, but normally when a team picks a wide receiver in the top 10, it’s expecting an all-world difference maker who can’t be covered one-on-one and stresses opposing defenses like the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase.
By bringing Williams and Odunze in together, the Bears’ hopes were even higher. Odunze saw “flashes” of their connection this season, but, again, lamented missed opportunities as it “faltered at different moments.” He resolved to “be available for him in the best manner” after watching Williams make huge plays and “put it all out there on the line.”
Odunze has been very good and certainly promising, but not yet great. The injuries absolutely hindered him, and the good news for the Bears is he reiterated this week he doesn’t need surgery. He planned to be at Halas Hall in the offseason for rehab.
As for his development, Odunze made strides under coach Ben Johnson and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El. The same ineptitude Williams’ endured from former coach Matt Eberflus’ staff as a rookie slowed Odunze’s growth as well, and both players couldn’t say enough about how helpful it was to get clear, accurate feedback under Johnson. Odunze spent much of his rookie season unsure if he was running routes correctly, and that’s no longer murky.
Elevating Odunze into an elite weapon is one of the most important tasks on Johnson’s list behind developing Williams. He wants an offense with a variety of threats in order to maintain unpredictability, but Odunze has the potential to put the Bears over the top. It’s a massive opportunity for him and the organization, and neither side can afford to miss it.