The Chicago Bears will be flying home from London with a win after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-16 early Sunday morning.
It was Chicago’s best offensive output of the season, as quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 226 yards and 4 touchdowns, and running back D’Andre Swift added 91 yards and a score on the ground. Despite the high-scoring performance, former Washington Huskies star Rome Odunze struggled to get involved, logging just 2 receptions for 40 yards.
Odunze took a back seat to veteran receiver Keenan Allen and tight end Cole Kmet, who both had five catches for two touchdowns on Sunday. Odunze’s two catches were his only targets on the day, while star receiver DJ Moore was held to 4 receptions for just 20 yards.
It’s the second time in the last three weeks that Odunze has received 3 targets or fewer. With all three receivers and Kmet healthy, the Bears’ pecking order seems to be establishing itself with Odunze as the fourth option. That’s to be expected to some degree, as Chicago spent heavily to acquire Moore and Allen and gave Kmet a big extension last offseason.
The rookie’s chemistry with Williams has been somewhat up and down to start the season, as Williams has missed a few deep shots to Odunze through the first six weeks of the season. With the Bears on bye next week, that should improve.
Odunze still profiles as the future No. 1 receiver for Williams, which is the primary reason Chicago drafted him with the No. 9 overall pick. But it looks like it may take some time until fans see the Odunze that set the college football world ablaze last season at Washington.