Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze had a disappointing second year in the NFL, and that's why he's the offensive player with the most prove for the Bears in 2026.
Rome Odunze's second season in the NFL started on a heater.
The 6-foot-3, 214-pound receiver caught five touchdowns through the first four weeks. He had already surpassed his total from his rookie year in just one quarter of the season.
During the Bears’ Week 5 bye week, Odunze joined “The Rich Eisen Show” and discussed how many touchdowns he would like to have by the end of the year. Odunze didn't have a number in mind, but then asked Eisen about the all-time record in a single season – Randy Moss’ 23 touchdown receptions in 2007.
“Yeah, if we not shooting for that, then we are selling ourselves short,” Odunze said. “So, I guess I got to go get 24.”
Odunze fell way short of that goal, ending his second season with 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns, regressing in yards and receptions from his rookie year. A stress fracture in Odunze's foot forced the former No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL to miss the final five games of the regular season.
He returned in the playoffs, but caught just four passes for 88 yards against the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams.
Despite the Bears' success in 2025, Odunze admitted during the locker room cleanout that his individual performance didn't meet his own expectations.
After the way last season ended, no Bears offensive player has more to prove this year than Odunze.
The Bears traded DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for a 2026 second-round pick in return. Naturally that would make Odunze the No. 1 target in head coach Ben Johnson's offense. However, Luther Burden III established himself as a big-time playmaker in his rookie season.
General manager Ryan Poles spoke glowingly about Burden last week, saying, “Every time that dude touched the ball, special things could happen.”
Poles also called Odunze “talented,” and acknowledged he went through some injuries. But given Burden's emergence, it's not as straightforward to label Oduzne the No. 1 receiver in this Bears offense.
And the labeling of No. 1 or No. 2 isn't the main focus, but the production that should come from a former top-10 pick.
Odunze has Caleb Williams as his quarterback and Johnson as his play caller. There is no excuse why multiple players in this offense shouldn't exceed 1,000 receiving yards. Even in a run-heavy offense.
While 1,000 receiving yards might seem like an arbitrary benchmark, 19 wide receivers hit that mark during the 2025 regular season. The bottom line: Odunze needs to produce, and he possesses the talent and work ethic to join that group.
But first he must improve catching the football. Odunze dropped five passes last seaon for a 9.4 drop percentage -- 23rd most among receivers with at least 40 targets.
If Odunze can stay healthy and cleaning up those mistakes, Odunze will prove he’s a legitimate threat every time he steps on the field.