CHICAGO — Rome Odunze was preparing to play Dec. 14 at Soldier Field when he learned he would be scratched. The 23-year-old receiver, who had been managing a stress fracture in his foot since before midseason, aggravated the injury late in pregame warmups and called his mother, Necia Bunnell, to tell her he would not be on the field for the Bears’ 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns. “He was devastated,” Bunnell said.
The Bears subsequently shut Odunze down for the remainder of the regular season. His sophomore campaign included just four catches for 88 yards after he returned for the team’s two playoff games and fell short of expectations, a disappointment he has said taught him patience and resilience. “Your career is going to invite those moments of adversity,” Odunze told ESPN.
Odunze said his foot has healed and that he has worked during the offseason to prevent a similar setback. With veteran receiver DJ Moore no longer on the roster, Odunze described a clear opening for a lead role. “Oh, I’m ready for it,” he said. “I’m 100% confident in it.”
The Bears selected Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick in 2024, eight spots after taking quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1. At Washington, Odunze totaled 1,640 receiving yards and was noted for contested catches; his 24 contested grabs in 2023 were tied for the most in the FBS.
Odunze has also been self-critical about drops. According to ESPN’s tracking, his three drops were tied for the team lead with rookies Kyle Monangai and Luther Burden III and tied for 54th in the NFL with 38 others. He said the experience of injuries and setbacks will help fuel his push to be the playmaker the Bears can rely on in 2026.
