Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland train with a former Pro Bowl receiver, aiming to elevate their game after a successful Bears season.
The Chicago Bears had a great turnaround in year one of the Ben Johnson era, but there's always room for improvement.
The Bears did something they haven't done since 2020, last season, by making the playoffs. Chicago also won its first NFC North title since 2018. The Bears even broke a nasty losing streak in the playoffs by winning their first postseason game since 2010.
Colston Loveland had a great rookie season, as he led the team with 713 receiving yards. D.J. Moore (682) came in second, followed by Rome Odunze (661) and then Luther Burden (652) was fourth on the team.
It wasn't the easiest of seasons for Odunze. Odunze missed time due to a foot stress fracture, which kept him out from Week 13 until the playoffs.
The Bears' wideout knows he can be better, so he'll be working with former Pro Bowl receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the offseason.
Houshmandzadeh played for the Cincinnati Bengals (2001-08), Seattle Seahawks (2009), Baltimore Ravens (2010), and the then-Oakland Raiders (2011). He made the Pro Bowl in 2007, just before his last season with the Bengals.
Houshmandzadeh shared that he'll be working with some of the Bears' skill players in the offseason, including Odunze and Loveland.
"Rome just hit me up yesterday," Houshmandzadeh said. "I'm gonna be working with quite a few of the Bears. Quite a few of the Bears' skill guys."
The receiver was also asked if Burden had reached out to him, and Houshmandzadeh clarified that the Chicago rookie hadn't done so yet. Houshmandzadeh predicted another great year for Loveland and Odunze.
"No, I don't know him, to answer the question. Um, I think the Bears, cause I think highly of myself, they'll be a lot better. I really do. They'll be a lot better, the skill guys. Rome will have a great year, Colston will have a great year. I love that dude. That [expletive] can play. I think Colston Loveland has a chance to be the best tight end in football."
It truly was a magical season to be a Bears fan.
Chicago made the Divisional Round after another fourth-quarter comeback against the Green Bay Packers. The Bears' season ended after a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
It's great to see players like Loveland and Odunze taking that extra step to improve in the offseason. We'll see how many other Bears' receivers work out with the former Pro Bowler.