Why Bears Fans Are Critiquing Caleb Williams' TD to Rome Odunze in OTAs

Caleb Williams' touchdown throw to Rome Odunze on Thursday in organized team activities was the type of dopamine hit Chicago Bears fans needed after being away from NFL games for over three months. 

By the off chance that you haven't seen the play, check out the clip below. Rewind it. Pause it. Embrace it. It's good stuff. 

According to Bears backup quarterback Case Keenum, Williams' pass traveled 67 yards in the air before landing in Odunze's arms. CHGO's Adam Hoge also noted that the play happened in the team period (11-on-11s) and the defensed jumped offside. This caused the offense to go into their scramble drill, and two top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft capitalized on the defense's mistake. 

Seeing the Bears hit on this type of play after being off for months should create mostly positive reactions, which was the case, but people will find a way to critique anything. 

And I mean anything. 

Here are the main criticisms that I've seen on X. 

- Williams can make plays on the move, but can he succeed from the pocket?

- Odunze needs to catch the ball with his hands and not his body. 

- Tyrique Stevenson wasn't close in coverage.

Alright, let's breakdown some of these points people are complaining about. 

Let's start with the Williams' playmaking ability on the move. Last season alone proved that the Bears' quarterback can create something out of nothing when the play becomes extended. I also understand that people want to see Williams operate more on time from the pocket, which should help his completion %. 

But the touchdown pass to Odunze in OTAs is not the one to ask for pocket discipline. It was a free play after the defense jumped, so Williams leaned into his super power and completed an explosive touchdown. 

For Williams to take the next step in coach Ben Johnson's offense, he must play in rhythm. That's a given. But let's allow Williams to make draw-dropping plays when he sees an opportunity to do so. 

Odunze dropped five passes last season (including the playoffs), according to Pro Football Focus. So, I get people want Odunze to make more secure catches and do so with his hands, but this play doesn't qualify. 

For those people asking to catch with purely his hands on the 67-yard pass, how do you expect Odunze to do that while running full speed and at the trajectory that the ball was coming down at? 

If Odunze even attempts to make the triangle to reach back for the football, that would just give the cornerback an opportunity to make a play on the pass. 

For the expert receivers out there, go pause the video at :09 seconds. 

Odunze tracks the ball, connects both his pinkies and secures the catch. He then switches the ball to his outside arm -- where the sideline is at -- and uses five points of contact because there is trailing defender. That's text book. 

[READ: Bears Assistant Coach Shares What He Wants to See From Rome Odunze in 2026]

As for Stevenson, it's a tough situation to be in after the defense jumps offside, and then the Bears' cornerback has to run across the field. By no means is that an easy play to make. 

It doesn't help that rookie Zavion Thomas also got behind Stevenson for an explosive play in OTAs. 

If we're just being fair, Coby Bryant wasn't anywhere close to that play as well. But what coverage were the Bears in? Did something happen at the line of scrimmage? Thomas did run a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

Not trying to make excuses for Stevenson, but there are so many variables and layers to dissect just off highlight practice clips. 

There are still over 100 days until the 2026 NFL season officially kicks off. Enjoy the highlights right now. As with every Bears season, there will be plenty to debate once real football begins again.