Rome Odunze leads all Chicago Bears players in receiving in his second season playing with Caleb Williams. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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Rome Odunze is starting to show why the Chicago Bears made him the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The former consensus All-American receiver had a solid rookie campaign when he produced 54 catches for 734 yards and three touchdowns. However, he was a clear secondary receiver, ranking third across the board in receiving to D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen.
Fast forward a year later and he’s emerged as Caleb Williams’ clear go-to target. Odunze leads the Bears with 31 catches for 473 yards and five touchdowns.
“I feel like with route running, things like that, especially the scheme, I’m able to understand where I need to be, the spots I need to be,” says Odunze in a one-on-one interview. “Obviously, having that chemistry with Caleb as well through two seasons or a season and a half now has really been helpful. It’s really just continuing to grow with wide receiver play, feeling like understanding the job of a wide receiver in the league at this level and just trying to execute those things to perfection.”
Odunze specifically mentions how his chemistry with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams continues to grow, which is another reason why he’s playing so well. The top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has taken a lot less sacks this season – 5.11% to 10.79% last year – and his passing yards per game has seen an uptick form 208.3 yards per game to 233.7 yards per game.
The star receiver specifically mentions how Williams has been on a “steady path of improvement” since entering the league. The statistics and the eye test match that claim, with Williams taking less sacks and proving to be a little more dynamic in the passing game in his second season.
“I would just say he’s continued to be on a steady path of improvement,” says Odunze of Williams. “Honestly, from the first day I met him, he’s continuing to strive to get better, and I think he has done that. He started the season off well and doing things the right way. He’s facilitating the ball out there, getting it to playmakers, as well as making plays himself. He’s doing a good job of being a leader for us in that sense, and I’m looking forward to continue to keep going.”
The Bears are off to a solid start this season as a result, going 4-3 through seven games under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. They only had five wins all of last season.
The offense has clearly improved under the leadership of Johnson, who made his name as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. Chicago ranks 15th in points and 12th in yards after ranking 28th in points and dead last in yards last season.
Odunze outlines making it to the Pro Bowl and clinching a playoff berth as his objectives for the season this year.
It would be the Bears’ first playoff appearance since the 2020 season. Chicago has not won a playoff game since the 2010 season.
“I definitely would say so, for sure,” says Odunze of the experience helping in the midst of his second season. “Just having that season under my belt, I feel like gives me the knowledge and understanding of how you know things are trying to be played, how’s it going to go, and also my preparation during the week, helping those things for sure.”
Rome Odunze On Why He Wears Invisalign, How It Helps With Confidence Off The Field
As Odunze experiences a breakthrough season this year, the 23-year-old receiver is also experiencing gains off of the field. The second-year receiver is using Invisalign to help with his smile and confidence off of the field.
“I had my own personal journey with them, which was a huge success,” says Odunze. “I feel like the biggest thing for me was it brought a lot of confidence in my smile, which brings you confidence on and off the field. It’s definitely a big part of the journey. It’s been great, backed by 25 years of science, 20 million people they’ve helped thus far. Excited to partnership with them.”
Odunze says he’s been partnered with the teeth aligner brand since earlier this year, but he’s been using the aligners since his high school years.
“I wasn’t wearing my retainers as well as I should have in middle school,” says Odunze. “Then I started to get a gap in my teeth, and I had gone to the dentist, and that’s what they recommended. I feel like it was right in my alley because I didn’t have to have them on all the time. I was able to brush my teeth, kind of get all that gunk stuff out of it, which was dope. I wore Invisalign in high school, freshman, sophomore years. I’ve been wearing the retainers ever since.”