For whatever reason, many in NFL circles believe Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has a lot to prove after a disappointing rookie season in 2024. Odunze finished with 54 receptions (on 101 targets) for 734 yards and three touchdowns.
Those numbers aren’t bad for a wide receiver that was asked to split targets with veteran pass catchers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet. One has to remember he was working with a rookie quarterback and three different offensive coordinators.
Lack of chemistry between Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze?
NFL: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) greets wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) during pregame warmups before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Ben Solak of ESPN (the same network concerned that Chicago has “too many weapons”) is concerned about Odunze’s production last season.
While he’s willing to give Odunze the benefit of the doubt for 37 inaccurate targets (Moore had 27 and Allen had 24) which can be blamed on the QB or WR, Solak thinks Williams and Odunze have a “chemistry” problem, and that could result in the No. 9 pick in the 2024 draft being replaced in targets by rookies Loveland or Luther Burden III.
“Though I am more than a little worried about the severe lack of chemistry between Williams and Odunze, I am willing to give Odunze a lot of grace for suffering through a carousel of offensive coaches on a team rife with execution errors,” Solak wrote. “Veterans Moore and Allen also could not get on the same page with Williams.
“Early returns will be significant from the new coaching staff in Chicago. Coach Ben Johnson runs a highly detailed offense, and if Odunze isn’t sharp with his landmarks and route breaks, there are plenty of pass-catching options in that Bears locker room who could jump him on the depth chart.”
“But if Odunze’s development was simply stunted a year by a bad environment in Chicago, we’ll also see that fairly quickly during camp. He’s one to watch in August, as he tries to improve on his 734 yards and three TDs from 2024.”
How concerned should the Chicago Bears be?
NFL: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) makes a catch over Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Frankly, Solak’s gripes should also get the attention of Williams, who had issues getting on the same page with Allen and Moore. Moore showed his frustrations with Williams following a miscommunication during the Bears’ loss to the Houston Texans in Week 2.
New head coach Ben Johnson should be able to design an offense that makes it easier for Williams to connect with Odunze. Oftentimes last year, Williams ran around and threw a deep prayer to Odunze, hoping for a big play.
It’s much too early to worry about Odunze’s trajectory with the Bears. He was one of the least of Chicago’s many problems in 2024.
If anything, Williams was the key culprit for a lack of wide receiver production, and it’s an issue Johnson has to fix.
NFL: Chicago Bears Press Conference Chicago Bears first-round draft choice and number nine overall pick Rome Odunze speaks at a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
