Tag: Rome Odunze

2024 Rookie preview: Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears

2024 Rookie preview: Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears and what he offers in his first year

After taking their next franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams with the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears decided to arm Williams with a rookie running mate to help bolster an already impressive arsenal in the selection of former Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.

With veterans Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore well established as top playmakers in the league, Odunze stands to capitalize in a big way in an offense motivated to throw the football. With teams focusing on shutting down the proven commodities, Odunze should see plenty of single and man coverage, something he thrived in beating during his time with Washington.

Odunze has all the makings of a top tier ‘X’ receiver in the league, and while his production may lag behind the two receivers taken ahead of him due to volume, Odunze should turn plenty of heads during the Bears 2024 season run.

Stat projection: 65 catches, 840 yards, 7 touchdowns 

Caleb Williams is beginning to form an on-field rapport with Rome Odunze

Caleb and Rome are beginning to establish on-field chemistry in Chicago.

The USC-Washington Pac-12 combination is beginning to create some magic on the field for the Chicago Bears. Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze were both picked by the Bears in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL draft. They are expected to thrive this season, and the expectations of what the two can achieve together are rising with every passing day.

Bears Wire has more:

The Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, and the hope is they’ll be the faces of the franchise for the foreseeable future. The pair have already developed a nice chemistry that was evident on the field during Monday’s workout, where Williams connected with Odunze over the middle for what would’ve been a catch-and-run touchdown during the 11-on-11 period, according to Josh Schrock. It was the play of the day, according to the media in attendance, and one that could wind up being shared by the Bears later on.

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2024 Schedule Swings: Receivers

Which receiver gets a far easier schedule for 2024? Who experiences the worst drop in schedule strength?

The schedule strength for receivers is typically the least accurate compared to running backs and quarterbacks because two to four wideouts and a tight end are regularly used per team, and each varies in how they mix them.

That means comparing the schedule strength between 2023 and 2024 is also harder to apply to individual players. Only the extremes are likely to matter.

The average fantasy points allowed by defenses to receivers last year were applied to each offense’s schedule to determine their true schedule strength of last year and the same values are applied to their 2024 schedule. This includes considering both home and away venues separately for each defense.

The resulting fantasy point advantages are compared between years and the difference is their “swing points.”  The higher the Swing Points, the better their schedule is compared to last year. 

This analysis is very close to that for the quarterbacks, but a few differences stem from relying on running backs as receivers on some teams, as that skews the pass distribution.

See Also: Quarterbacks | Running Backs 

Best schedule swings

Drake London, Kyle Pitts (ATL) – This is all good news for a franchise that was among the worst in passing for the last couple of seasons. Refreshing with Kirk Cousins, a new pass-intensive scheme and now the most improved schedule from 2023 and it all is looking up for the Falcons.

Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen (CAR) – Bryce Young was the first player drafted in 2023, but he had little help in any direction for a franchise that owned a minimal amount of passing weapons, a one-year offensive scheme that flopped and a bad schedule. A new set of coaches, upgrades with Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette, and a vastly upgraded schedule should all make a positive difference and get the Panthers’ passing offense on track.

DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze (CHI) – The Bears already have an embarrassment of riches with receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. They drafted the top quarterback in the 2024 class and get a nice improvement in schedule. The only downside here is trying to feed all those options.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta (DET) – The Lions already had one of the best passing offenses and now enjoy a solid rise in outlook with the No. 3 best schedule for receivers. With the offense already dedicated to piling up the receptions for St. Brown and LaPorta, the schedule only serves to make them even more reliable.

Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku (CLE) – The Browns offense needed a break and 2024 should allow the receivers to meet their potential with Deshaun Watson healthy and well-versed in the offense and the schedule finally well above average.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride (ARI) – The rookie Harrison and McBride already look like locks for a high volume of targets and they get a healthy Kyler Murray back. Throw in one of the top schedules after only average in 2023, and the needle is pointing up for the Arizona receivers this year.

About the same schedule strength

The bad news is that the Jaguars, Bengals, Dolphins, and Broncos all repeat their ultra-tough schedule strengths from 2023. Can they remain better than their schedule?

Worst schedule swings

Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) – The Giants were already challenged with yet another shaky year of Daniel Jones and now the schedule is working against them. It is enough to drop Nabers another tick and hope he can survive a tough rookie campaign.

Quentin Johnson, Joshua Palmer (LAC) – The Chargers already swapped out coaches and dedicate their offense to running the ball more. And they stripped out all veteran talent from the wideouts. And they rely on what appears to be one of the weakest receiver units in the NFL. And now their receivers get to go against the worst schedule. Justin Herbert is an elite quarterback, but everything with the 2023 Chargers screams that a down year is about to happen.

Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce (KC) – This is less worrisome with an upgraded set of receivers and Patrick Mahomes playing in the same pass-happy scheme. If any team can weather a bad schedule swing, it is the Chiefs.

Mike Evans, Chris Godwin (TB) – The Buccaneers take a dive down from their previous No. 5 schedule strength for receivers but their scheme has a huge portion of the targets funnel through Evans and Godwin. They may not equal last year, but shouldn’t fall far thanks to volume alone.

Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp (LAR) – Nacua blew up with a historic rookie season and Kupp is always dangerous weapon when healthy.  This slide doesn’t help but the duo is one of the best in the league. They should still deliver even with the increased competition.

Former USC quarterback signs four-year deal with Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears signed both Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze to rookie contracts ahead of training camp on Tuesday.

Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, signed his first-round rookie contract with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams signed a four-year deal worth $39.4 million, including a $25.5 million signing bonus. The contract is fully guaranteed and contains a fifth-year option in 2028.

Chicago also signed fellow first round pick Rome Odunze, a wide receiver from Washington, who was picked ninth overall and inked a four-year deal worth $22.7 million and $13.3 million guaranteed.

Both Williams and Odunze were among the last five rookies to sign contracts, and did so just a few days before training camp begins.

Williams won the Heisman in 2022, throwing 42 touchdowns to just five interceptions, and while he wasn’t quite as good in 2023 he still completed over 68% of his passes for the Trojans. He will look to take over a Chicago franchise that has struggled mightily to find consistent play under center, replacing Justin Fields who was taken in the first round in 2021.

Odunze racked up 1,640 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior for the Huskies last season, and alongside Williams should form a dynamic duo in the Windy City for at least the next few years.

Caleb Williams signs his rookie deal with the Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams signs his rookie deal with the Chicago Bears as does fellow first-rounder Rome Odunze

The Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams finally got everything ironed out. A day after Williams was all over the NFL news for remaining unsigned and without an agent, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft signed his rookie contract.

Williams signed the four-year deal with the fifth-year team option that is commensurate with his draft slot. It’s worth $39 million and includes a $25.5 million signing bonus. Williams, from USC, is expected to start at quarterback right away as the top pick in the draft.

The Bears also signed their other first-round pick, wide receiver Rome Odunze, who had also remained unsigned as players reported to Chicago’s training camp.

Bears sign WR Rome Odunze to 4-year rookie contract

The Bears have signed rookie receiver Rome Odunze to a four-year contract with training camp set to get underway.

With the Chicago Bears rookies reporting to training camp, the team has signed wide receiver Rome Odunze to his four-year rookie contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Chicago selected Odunze with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. According to Pelissero, it’s a four-year, fully-guaranteed $22.7 million deal with a fifth-year option.

“Man, I don’t know where to start with that guy. First of all, a human being, what a great guy,” general manager Ryan Poles said of Odunze on draft night. “Work ethic, just blue collar in the way he goes about things. But as a receiver, he can line [up] anywhere: inside, outside. You love his ability to finish in contested situations. Plays strong, plays big, run-after-catch is very good. He’s a punt returner as well.

“I mean, the kid’s just put time in and he got better and better every single year and he’s a winner. He can impact the game at any moment. If you’re at quarterback, and you’re in doubt, you want to just go give a guy an opportunity to go finish, he’s your guy. He’s done that consistently.”

Odunze was the third receiver selected in the draft, but he would’ve been the top wideout in any other draft. He joins a receiver room that features established veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, and Odunze should be a favorite target for fellow rookie Caleb Williams. Odunze can now officially report for training camp, where the first practice is scheduled for Saturday.

With pen to paper, Odunze is the fourth member of Chicago’s five-player 2024 draft class to sign his rookie contract, joining offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, punter Tory Taylor and defensive end Austin Booker. Williams remains the only player in their rookie class who’s unsigned, but the hope is a deal gets done soon.

Bears rookies report for training camp today

Bears rookies report to training camp at Halas Hall starting today before Saturday’s first practice.

The wait is finally over as the Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp this week.

Bears rookies report to Halas Hall beginning Tuesday, July 16. The rest of the team will report to the team’s Lake Forest facility on Friday, July 19.

Chicago will practice for the first time on Saturday, July 20, which is closed to the public. The Bears’ first open practice will be on Friday, July 26, where a free ticket is required for entry (See the full schedule here).

The Bears have an impressive group of rookies this year, including first-round selections quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze. Both Williams and Odunze remain unsigned, as of Tuesday morning, and won’t be allowed to participate until their rookie contracts are signed.

Elsewhere, Chicago’s rookie class also features offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, punter Tory Taylor and defensive end Austin Booker, along with a slew of other undrafted rookies vying to make the roster.

Chicago will be the focus of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this summer, where cameras are gearing up to film what’s shaping up to be an exciting training camp and preseason at Halas Hall.

Bears WR Rome Odunze showcased in ‘Meet the Rookies’ series

The Bears drafted Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick, where he’s set to make an impact as one of Caleb Williams’ many weapons.

The Chicago Bears have a lot of faith in wide receiver Rome Odunze. They wouldn’t have selected him ninth overall in the 2024 NFL draft if they didn’t. He will come in with fellow rookie Caleb Williams and try to grow with him, which would help the offense become a juggernaut.

The Bears have a talented receiver room this season, which includes returning veteran DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, who the team traded for earlier this offseason. With Odunze added in, they should be a great trio of receivers for Williams to develop with. The now-former Washington star is ready for big action in the NFL.

Chicago’s social team has been doing “Meet the Rookies” features, which takes a deep dive into a player’s personal life and what led them to where they are today. For Odunze, it is incredible to see his progression into an NFL draft pick.

Odunze has the tools and support system away from the field to help him become a star in the most incredible football league in the world. His family is a big part of his life and supportive of his career.

Learning about Odunze’s personal life ahead of the NFL makes you appreciate him as a player even more. Chicago isn’t known for developing elite receivers, but Odunze is set to change that mold.

Caleb Williams remains unsigned and without an agent as Bears camp is about to kick off

Top 2024 draft pick Caleb Williams remains unsigned and without an agent as Bears camp is about to kick off

Top overall pick Caleb Williams will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears as soon as he officially enters the roster. Of that, there is zero question.

However, Williams still has yet to officially sign his rookie contract with the Bears. And a complicating factor in the delayed signing is that Williams does not have an agent representing him on contractual matters. That means that technically only Williams is allowed to negotiate with the Bears.

So when Williams indicated over the weekend that he’s not personally handling his own contract dealings, it raised an eyebrow or two. Williams was speaking at a charity event he hosted in Chicago on Saturday.

“I’m not handling that,” Williams said via the Chicago Tribune. “My lawyers and attorney and everybody, the head of the Bears, everybody up there up top is handling that. That’s not my position that I’m handling.”

According to the NFLPA regulations, Williams is the only one who is allowed to handle that because he does not have a recognized agent. It’s a letter-of-the-law technicality and nothing more than that, but it’s still notable that Williams openly admits he’s skirting the NFLPA’s laws before he ever steps foot on the field.

As noted above, it’s nothing for Bears fans to be concerned about. Williams’ salary is locked in; there’s nothing really to negotiate. The same is true with fellow first-rounder Rome Odunze, who also has yet to sign his rookie deal with the Bears. The rookies are expected to report to Chicago’s training camp on Tuesday.

Giants were high on Bears rookie Rome Odunze during pre-draft process

On the the latest “Hard Knocks” episode, it appears the Giants were high on Bears rookie WR Rome Odunze during the pre-draft process.

Before the Chicago Bears step into the “Hard Knocks” spotlight this summer, the New York Giants are the focal point during the first-ever offseason edition of HBO’s hit show.

In the second episode, the focus shifted to the pre-draft process and the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, where the Giants met with some top prospects including now Bears rookies quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.

New York drafted LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. But during Tuesday’s episode, it certainly appears that the Giants general manager Joe Schoen was high on Odunze, who was selected at No. 9 by Chicago.

We also caught a glimpse of Odunze’s combine meeting with Giants brass, where he talked about his versatility as a receiver, his high standards and his leadership ability in the locker room.

Odunze was the third receiver drafted this year, but he would’ve been WR1 in any other draft (with Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Nabers going 1-2).

Bears general manager Ryan Poles certainly seemed concerned New York would draft Odunze at No. 6, which was spotlighted in a behind-the-scenes look inside of Chicago’s draft room on night one. But

Ultimately, the 2024 NFL draft couldn’t have gone any better for the Bears, who landed their top two players in Williams and Odunze. When all is said and done, could the Giants wind up regretting not drafting Odunze? Only time will tell.