Rome Odunze had nothing but positive things to say about the Bears, as well as Justin Fields and Caleb Williams.
The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft via the Carolina Panthers and it is all anyone can talk about. Will they use it on USC quarterback Caleb Williams? Will they consider one of the other top prospects with that pick? Would they consider trading it for a haul and keeping Justin Fields? Any of those scenarios is possible.
They also have their own selection at No. 9 overall and there are sure to be some really good options for Chicago when they come up and select again. One person they might consider who should be available is Rome Odunze, the wide receiver coming out of Washington.
Coming into the year, Odunze was thought to be a late first- or early second-round pick in the 2024 Draft. However, after a strong season, he is now projected as a top-15 pick. He might even end up being drafted inside the top ten. If the Bears take him at No. 9 overall, it should not shock anyone.
Odunze stopped by to chat with Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago at Super Bowl Radio Row this week to chat about the Bears, from growing up watching them to a potential fit with the current team. Odunze said that he modeled his game after Devin Hester, who played most of his career with the Bears and is now headed for the Hall of Fame. “I was a big fan of Devin Hester growing up. That was my favorite player,” he said. Odunze feels that he can help this team have success again, as it did during those days of Hester flying around.
He also believes that he could thrive with either Justin Fields or Caleb Williams under center. Odunze talked about how much he likes Fields as a quarterback. “I think his ability to extend plays is what glares at a lot of people who watch him. It’s rare that he gets taken down in the backfield,” Odunze said. “He can play with his feet, and then he can make a play with his feet and get the ball in the air. To be so versatile in a league that has such great pass rushers, I think he’s got a unique skill set.” He knows that he can make plays that would help him grow in the NFL.
He also played against Williams last season (a 52-42 win for Washington over USC) and saw firsthand how good he can be. “He’s special player. It would be exciting to play with him.” Odunze knows that having a guy like that would make this transition into the league easier. Coming in at the same time would be very cool for the now-former PAC-12 stars.
We’ll see if the Bears go through with it, but it is good to know he is confident no matter what decision they make. A player that is all in no matter what is never a bad thing.
With some cap space to spend, you can assume that the Bears will use their financial wealth to improve their team. They might not be adding any game breakers or anything like that, but they should be able to fill in the cracks with some good talent.
Their plan with the first overall pick depends on the decision made with Justin Fields. Is he their guy at quarterback going forward or will they draft Caleb Williams out of USC? That is one of the top NFL conversations going on locally and nationally.
The three players going into the Hall of Fame are Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Steve McMichael. They are the first trio of players to go into the Hall at the same time that played for the same team (for at least four years) since the San Francisco 49ers (3) in 2000.
With those players being inducted into Canton, and all being Bears, Chicago is a good bet to participate in the annual Hall of Fame Game. That would also likely be the first time that we see Williams in a Bears jersey, if they go that route this spring.
The excitement and anticipation for that type of offseason/training camp will be off the charts compared to other years. The Bears, good or bad, always have a lot of hype, but this year will be different.
As a result, don’t be surprised if they are chosen to do “Hard Knocks,” the hit documentary that follows an NFL team during training camp and shows the ins and outs of the early season process.
If an NFL team hasn’t made the playoffs over the previous two seasons, they have a new head coach, or they have been on in the last 10 years, they can’t be forced to do it. A team could be forced to do it if they meet that criteria and no other team has volunteered. A lot of teams — from owners to coaches to players, namely George McCaskey — don’t want to do it.
The Bears are one of just three teams — along with the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints — who can be forced to do “Hard Knocks” in 2024. Based on how unexciting those two teams are right now, Chicago feels like a lock. There is no escape this year.
The Bears are just an interesting team right now for all of the reasons mentioned. With the number one pick possibly being a generational talent, along with an extra preseason game, it is going to be a circus. The organization might as well embrace the chaos.
The Chicago Bears had three of their players make the Hall of Fame on Thursday night.
The Chicago Bears haven’t done a lot of winning over their history, but they have produced plenty of legends in the game. That was put on display on Thursday night when the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced, and three Bears were selected — Devin Hester, Steve McMichael, and Julius Peppers.
This was a great announcement for Bears fans. We all remember how good a guy like Peppers was during his four seasons with the team. He spent some time with other teams (Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers), but some of his best seasons came while wearing the navy and orange.
McMichael played 13 of his 15 seasons (1981-1993) with Chicago. That means he was on the legendary 1985 team that won the Super Bowl. He was diagnosed with ALS in Jan. 2021, and his health has deteriorated over the past few years. But his push for the Hall of Fame kept him fighting.
Hester is the greatest kick returner in the history of the NFL. He was a mediocre wide receiver but an exceptional return man. He changed the way that position is viewed forever. Even when he didn’t find the endzone, the offense found itself in good field position.
This Hall of Fame class was historical. It was the first time that three players, who spent at least four seasons with the same team, were inducted into the Hall of Fame from the same class since 2000 (San Francisco 49ers).
Hester, McMichael and Peppers mark the first time since 2000 (49ers) that three players who spent at least four seasons with the same team and were inducted into the same class. #Bears
This is very cool for Bears fans. Seeing their players make it to the Hall of Fame is always special. Being alive to see one of these all-time great Bears representations is extra special. All of these guys were memorable in their way and deserve this recognition.
As a class like this comes out with all of this Bears representation, you can’t help but hope that more greatness is on the way soon. Chicago is trying to build a winner and it would be nice to see them produce a few Hall of Fame-type talents in the not-so-distant future. It would be nice to see all of the festivities that come from this announcement motivate the modern-day Bears to become great, as well.
No NFL team can match the Seahawks’ ability to attract all-time greats when they are in the twilight of their careers.
No NFL team can match the Seahawks’ ability to attract all-time greats when they are in the twilight of their careers. The illustrious list of historical greats includes Franco Harris, Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens. More recently, there have been Adrian Peterson and Jason Peters. In-between Seattle had a couple of GOATs from a previous era who made the Pro Football Hall of Fame last night.
Mostly known for his work with the Chicago Bears, WR Devin Hester has rightfully made the cut for Canton. Hester never saw the field much on offense, but he is indisputably the greatest kick returner of all time. All together he racked up 3,695 yards and 14 touchdowns as a punt returner, plus another 7,333 yards and five touchdowns on kickoff returns. Hester’s final two games of his career were with Seattle in the 2016 playoffs.
The other former Seahawk who was voted into the Hall of Fame last night was defensive end Dwight Freeney. He spent most of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, winning a Super Bowl on the 2006 team with Peyton Manning. Freeney played in over 200 games in his career, totaling 125.5 sacks. He appeared in four games with the Seahawks early in the middle of the 2017 season.
Bears legend Devin Hester on being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: “This is a wild dream that I never imagined.”
Devin Hester is the greatest return specialist in NFL history. Now, the Chicago Bears legend stands alone as a primary returner in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Third time was the charm for Hester, who finally had his name called for football immortality. He was one of three Bears named to the Class of 2024, joining Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers.
For Hester, this is a moment years in the making. While many believed Hester should’ve been a first-ballot Hall of Famer, none of that matters now that Hester has finally taken his place among the NFL’s greatest.
“This is a wild dream that I never imagined,” Hester said, via the Sun-Times. “This is bigger than everything. This is not only a dream, but this is something that I felt as a kid was impossible. That was just too much out of the picture. It’s like hitting the lotto.”
The Bears have a rich history that Hester has known since he arrived at Halas Hall as a rookie back in 2006. With Hester and McMichael being named to the Hall of Fame, that makes 32 Hall of Famers — who played primarily with the Bears — the most of any NFL team.
“You start thinking these guys are immortal — they’re the superheroes of the NFL,” Hester said. “You have Pro Bowl players, you have All-Pro players, but then you have the Greek gods, which is the Hall of Famers. To be in that category and to be listed as a Hall of Famer, man, is amazing.”
Hester, a three-time first-team All Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, forever changed the game as a return specialist. He has more punt returns than anyone in NFL history with 14, his 20 total non-offensive touchdowns are also the most in league history, and he has the highest average yards per punt return among those with at least 300 returns in NFL history.
“He changed the game — he changed our games,” Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher told the Sun-Times. “Those are the guys you want in the Hall of Fame. He’s the best to ever do it at his position.”
Bears chairman George McCaskey and president Kevin Warren had words of appreciation for Devin Hester, Steve McMichael, and Julius Peppers.
Chicago Bears greats Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Devin Hester, and Julius Peppers were officially elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the NFL Honors Night on Thursday. McMichael and Hester spent the vast majority of their careers in Chicago, while Peppers had four impactful years with the Bears. The other inductees include Dwight Freeney, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, and Randy Gradishar. Hester and Peppers were on hand in Las Vegas for the announcement, while McMichael was represented by his wife, Misty. McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021.
Congratulations have been pouring in across social media, and the Bears brass made sure to give their kudos to these legendary players who shined on the lakefront for a number of years. Chairman George McCaskey had words of appreciation for all three inductees via Larry Mayer of the Bears website.
On McMichael, who spent 13 seasons with the Bears, totaled 92.5 career sacks, and was a key component of the 1985 Super Bowl team:
“This honor is well deserved and long overdue and we are so happy for Steve and his family. To be cut by a team early in your career and then go on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a tremendous accomplishment. Steve showed us all what can be achieved through grit, toughness and hard work, and he has earned his place among game’s immortals.”
On Hester, who became the most dynamic return specialist almost immediately when he was drafted in 2006 and holds multiple special teams records:
“Devin revolutionized the game. No one had seen anything like him, and there hasn’t been anyone like him since. He had opposing head coaches telling their special teams coordinators ‘don’t kick to that guy’ and they suffered the consequences when the message didn’t get through. We’re delighted that the Hall has recognized Devin’s special talents.”
On Peppers, who was a Bear from 2010–2013 and made three Pro Bowls during that time:
“Julius was one of the best free-agent signings in Bears history, and a dominant player on the field. Our congratulations to him.”
In addition to McCaskey, Bears president Kevin Warren also shared his congratulations to all three players on their achievement:
“We are ecstatic and extremely grateful that both Steve McMichael and Devin Hester have been selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both of these men were transformative football players who have always represented themselves, their families and the Chicago Bears with dignity, class and grace. Having Steve and Devin become the 31st and 32nd members of our franchise enshrined into Canton is very memorable and special. We would also like to congratulate Julius Peppers on his enshrinement and we deeply appreciate his positive impact on the Chicago Bears.”
All three players will be enshrined this August in Canton, Ohio.
The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class: Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael.
The NFL has announced the men who will find themselves enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the 2024 class. In total, five finalists made it from the active class, and two from the senior group.[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024:
— Dwight Freeney — Devin Hester — Andre Johnson — Julius Peppers — Patrick Willis — Randy Gradishar (senior) — Steve McMichael (senior) https://t.co/utNePm8HdP
There will never be another NFL player like Devin Hester.
To many Chicagoans, the number 23 in sports is significant because it’s what the legendary Michael Jordan donned during the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty in the 1990s. As someone way too young to experience any of that success, No. 23 makes me think of another person entirely.
The former Chicago Bear was officially selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday night. At face value, you’d think nothing of this. Hester was exceptional at his job and deserved a bronze bust in Canton. But he was inducted on the third ballot … as a return specialist. That does not happen. Players who touch the ball maybe 10-12 times a game do not enter the Hall of Fame in their early 40s, if ever.
It speaks to the sheer magic Hester created every time he had the ball in his hands and a sliver of space to burst through in the open field.
A native Chicagoan, I only began following professional football in 2006. While I did not know what consistent despair awaited me decades after, such naivety made me believe the 2006 Bears were the most outstanding sports team ever assembled and that Hester was a once-in-a-lifetime athlete. The latter was true, at least. This speaks to who Hester was as a football player because you didn’t need much knowledge or exposure to the game to understand his unique blend of speed, quickness, and vision was different, transcendent even.
From the moment Hester streaked across the field for an 84-yard punt return touchdown in his NFL debut against the Green Bay Packers, it was obvious he brought an element to the field no one else could even fathom replicating.
You’d have to be silly to ignore what your eyes screamed at you:
If getting emotionally invested in a team or player is about creating core memories, then the 2006 version of Hester was a one-man machine of highlights that will forever be embedded in my brain.
It never stopped, and it was never short on drama.
There was the game-winning punt return in Arizona, where the Bears scored zero offensive touchdowns and won despite falling behind 23-3. I can still hear the abrupt crack in Mike Tirico’s voice as he realized Hester had a seam he could exploit. There was the then-NFL record 108-yard field goal return in New York — a play already enshrined in Canton — and a sequence that even the iconic Al Michaels and John Madden were utterly flabbergasted by. No one did that … except Hester. There was scoring not one but two return touchdowns in St. Louis and making it look so easy that it was like someone was playing as Hester in a video game at home.
In many ways, even with the Bears’ unfortunate defeat to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl 41, I’m not upset anymore. Their appearance alone in that game, with hundreds of millions of people watching at home, opened the door for Hester to do one of the most bonkers things in NFL history — score on the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl. I still get goosebumps hearing Jim Nantz exclaim, “NO FLAGS,” once Hester tumbled into the end zone. Everything that happened after doesn’t matter.
This was who Hester was as a player. A breathtaking ball of electricity who could get everyone — even some of the most memorable names in the sport, who had thought they had seen it all — jumping out of their seat in disbelief.
I could go on and on about Hester’s time in the NFL, recounting every touchdown because I remember them as strongly as a loved one’s birthday. But that would ultimately be a fruitless endeavor, and I’m not sure I wouldn’t run out of breath even just typing them out. Instead, I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves:
14 punt return touchdowns — the most in NFL history
19 combined punt/kick return touchdowns — the most in NFL history
3,695 punt return yards — the third-most in NFL history (on over 148 fewer attempts than No. 1)
A place on the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and a member of both the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Teams
Three First-Team All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl nods
And again, the only player ever to return the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl
These days, special teams are emphasized less in the NFL. Because of adjusted rules, most kickoffs are launched through the end zone, finishing as touchbacks. If they’re returned at all, most players elect to simply take field position and have the offense start at the 25-yard line. If an offense faces a fourth down, an increased focus on maximizing the percentages means more fourth-down attempts and fewer opportunities for punt returners to flip the field for their team. Given growing concerns about player safety, it would not be remotely surprising to see the NFL abandon kickoffs and punts altogether sometime in the near future.
Beyond Hester’s individual excellence, this reality will cement his brilliance forever. While I don’t want to say it will never happen, I highly doubt a football player will ever be as gifted or as successful as a returner in the open field. If someone eventually possesses the talent to match, the shifted paradigm of the game will be oriented in a way where they won’t even be able to get within reach of Hester’s legacy.
When all is said and done, when Hester’s bronze bust is finally revealed this August, he can rest assured that his memory will persevere. He will be remembered as the greatest returner in football history. Bar none. And I will never forget seeing the back of that No. 23 jersey blaze past helpless defenders, wondering if Hester was about to make my jaw drop.
Three Chicago Bears legends are officially on their way to football immortality.
Three Chicago Bears legends are officially on their way to football immortality. Return specialist Devin Hester, defensive end Julius Peppers, and defensive tackle Steve “Mongo” McMichael were all named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 during the NFL Honors night on Thursday. The three players will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, this August.
Hester goes into the Hall of Fame in his third year of eligibility after being a finalist the last two years. The legendary Bears return specialist changed the game when he was drafted in 2006, setting various records for both kickoff and punt returns throughout his career. The former All-Pro holds records for most career return touchdowns (20), most career punt return touchdowns (14), and most return touchdowns in a single season (6). He also made both the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Teams. Hester played for the Bears from 2006 to 2013.
Peppers, meanwhile, spent the majority of his career with the Carolina Panthers but was a Bear for four seasons from 2010 to 2013. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2010 and made three Pro Bowls while with the Bears, helping lead them to the 2010 NFC Championship game. Peppers has the fifth-most sacks in NFL history with 159.5, 37.5 of which came with the Bears. He made the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Last but not least, McMichael goes in as a senior member of the Hall of Fame. He was voted as a finalist over the summer and was all but guaranteed a spot in Canton. Now it finally comes to fruition. McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, spent 13 of his 15 years in the NFL with the Bears. McMichael totaled 92.5 career sacks, was named First-Team All-Pro twice and Second-Team All-Pro three times and played a crucial role on the 1985 Super Bowl defense. McMichael is now the sixth member of that vaunted team to make it to the Hall of Fame.
Hester, Peppers, and McMichael are joined by Dwight Freeney, Andre Johnson, Randy Gradishar and Patrick Willis.
Will the third time be the charm for Bears legend Devin Hester, as he looks to finally get the call to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Will the third time be the charm for Chicago Bears legend Devin Hester, as he looks to finally get the call to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Hester is regarded as the greatest return specialist in NFL history, but he’s yet to make the Hall of Fame after two years of eligibility. Now, he’s once again a finalist in his third year, where the hope is the voters finally allow Hester his rightful place among the NFL’s best ever.
Hester, a three-time first-team All Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, has an impressive resume. He has more punt returns than anyone in NFL history with 14, his 20 total non-offensive touchdowns are also the most in league history, and he has the highest average yards per punt return among those with at least 300 returns in NFL history.
Hester spoke with Bears announcer Jeff Joniak — who had a front-row seat to his illustrious career — where he stated his case for the Hall of Fame.
One of the most interesting moments came when Hester revealed that he was the last person to be cut in back-to-back years — meaning he was one spot away from making the Hall during both years of eligibility.
After he didn’t get in as a first ballot Hall of Famer, Hester called them up to inquire about what constitutes making it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“When you explained the Hall of Fame to me, you based off a player that’s one of the most feared players in the league,” Hester said. “Check box. That teams prepare for week in, week out and can’t sleep. Check box. A player that makes the Pro Bowl. Check box. A player that makes the All Pro team. Check box. A player that made the All Decades team. Two checks.”
Joniak also chimed in: “You’re forgetting one. A player who revolutionized, how teams had to figure out how to prepare for one man, and you changed the way it’s done. Period. You changed the rule.”
Watch the full sit-down between Hester and Joniak below:
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be revealed during NFL Honors on Thursday night.
