Introduction to Rome Odunze’s Journey

The Bears’ Rome Odunze was worried about staying afloat as a rookie. “He was battling himself,” receiver DJ Moore said. The best part about being a sophomore is that you’re no longer a freshman. Odunze understands how quickly catching windows close in the NFL and what drills he needs to do to put his body in the right position to make catches. He’s adapted to the speed of the game.

Overcoming Personal Struggles

“Do we think he was good? Or do we want to be great?” Moore said. “Now he’s taken that step to be great.” Odunze might be the only one inside Halas Hall that can make that claim after two weeks. The Bears have the worst defense in football, an inconsistent quarterback and a special teams unit that has missed a field goal, had a punt blocked, kicked the ball out of bounds when it shouldn’t have and decided against kicking the ball out of play when it should have. They’ve blown a lead and, the following week, have been boat-raced.

Rising to the Top

Odunze, though, has looked the part of a No. 1 receiver. His 165 receiving yards ranks ninth in the NFL. He’s tied for the NFL lead with three touchdown catches — as many as he had all last year. “It’s understanding the game and the NFL and the work you have to put in even to get to this level,” Odunze said. “You have to take it up a whole another notch to get to one of the greats in this league. That’s obviously one of my goals, to leave my mark on this game and in the NFL, coming out as one of the best.

Preparing for the Next Challenge

He has a chance to ramp it up even further Sunday against the Cowboys. Matt Eberflus’ defense gave up 450 passing yards to the Giants’ Russell Wilson last week, the 10th-most a quarterback has totaled the past five years. Lead receiver Malik Nabers, who was chosen three spots ahead of Odunze in last year’s draft, had 167 receiving yards, the most by any receiver this season. He leads the NFL with 238 receiving yards. “We just gotta continue to emulate some of those things that those offenses did,” Odunze said, “as well as adding our flavor, our own little tone to it.”

Coaching Insights

Eberflus, though, knows quarterback Caleb Williams better than any opposing coach. He’ll try to dial up schemes to stop the quarterback — and his favorite target. Ben Johnson, Eberflus’ replacement, has long admired Odunze’s ability to win one-on-one matchups. He’s been surprised, though, by his ability to separate from defenders. “It’s a unique skillset,” he said. “We’re still working through his route tree. There’s a number of things we’ve introduced to this offense that he’s really taken to, and we’re continuing to push the limit each week and have him do some things that we haven’t asked him to do yet.”

Unlocking Potential

For all those skills — “He’s a walking 1,000-yard receiver in any offense,” safety Kevin Byard said — Odunze never really got on track last year. He and Williams talked up their connection, but Odunze’s 734 receiving yards ranked 46th in the league. Amazingly, eight of his 17 games produced two or fewer receptions. Another offseason working together, though, has produced better results. “He’s got a natural connection here with Rome that you see all the time,” Johnson said.

Conclusion

Growing Williams’ game is the most important thing the Bears can do this season — and is the fastest way out of the struggles that have dogged them for two weeks. More than any other player on the roster, Odunze holds the key to unlocking him. “I know he’s just a second-year player,” Johnson said, “but he’s very much a complete receiver.”

FAQs

Q: What were Rome Odunze’s concerns as a rookie?
A: Rome Odunze was worried about staying afloat as a rookie and was battling himself.
Q: How has Odunze’s performance been in the current season?
A: Odunze has looked the part of a No. 1 receiver, with 165 receiving yards ranking ninth in the NFL and three touchdown catches, tying him for the NFL lead.
Q: What challenge does Odunze face in the upcoming game against the Cowboys?
A: Odunze faces the challenge of Matt Eberflus’ defense, which gave up 450 passing yards to the Giants’ Russell Wilson last week.
Q: What is Ben Johnson’s assessment of Odunze’s skills?
A: Ben Johnson admires Odunze’s ability to win one-on-one matchups and has been surprised by his ability to separate from defenders, calling it a unique skillset.