Tag: Rome Odunze

Will Caleb Williams be the one to erase the Bears’ 75-year quarterback curse?

Caleb Williams will have a lot of help in his quest to break the Chicago Bears’ 75-year Quarterback Curse.

“It pisses me off a little bit, to be honest with you. We were hired to break a cycle. The same thing when we were in Kansas City. Coach [Andy] Reid, all of us were brought there to break a cycle. And we did. And no one talks about those days anymore; it’s all about what they are right now.”

That’s what Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in March about his franchise’s historic quarterback drought. You can understand the sensitivity here — when your last great quarterback was Sid Luckman just after World War II, and you’re still riding on those fumes, it’s a bit embarrassing. Not that it’s Poles’ fault — he inherited Justin Fields when he became the GM in 2022, and the cycle-breaking he talked about with Andy Reid happened in 2017 when Poles was the Chiefs’ director of college scouting, and Kansas City took that Patrick Mahomes guy.

So now, there’s USC’s Caleb Williams, selected first overall to break that cycle. There isn’t much Williams can’t do on the field, and while he could stand to be a bit more regimented in the pocket, the explosive plays (he had 59 as a passer and 17 as a rusher for a USC offense that was not designed well) are singularly impressive.

Then, with the ninth overall pick, the Bears selected Washington’s Rome Odunze, who has the attributes to make that passing game much better on the target side. Odunze gives Williams that most valuable of receivers — the guy who’s open, even when he isn’t open.

Receiver D.J. Moore was highly productive in his first season with the Bears in 2023 as part of the trade with the Carolina Panthers that ultimately gave Chicago the Williams pick, and he’s the ideal go and post and corner receiver to scald cornerbacks deep in new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s system.

And then, there’s veteran Keenan Allen, acquired in a March trade as the Los Angeles Chargers were offloading players as part of their salary cap issues. Allen has never been known for his breakaway speed, but he’s still a near-peerless route runner, and he was good for 19 explosive plays last season… so this isn’t just an old guy standing on the field waiting for the ball to come to him so he can catch it and fall down.

Add in Cole Kmet as a more than serviceable tight end option, and let’s just say that if Caleb Williams ultimately adds his name to the Bears’ Quarterback List of Doom, it won’t be for lack of trying on Poles’ part. Perhaps this is where the Bears finally break that cycle.

How to buy 2024 Chicago Bears tickets

Want to watch Caleb Wililams and the Chicago Bears in person this season? Tickets are now on sale.

The Chicago Bears’ 2024 schedule was released on Wednesday, May 15 and the Bears open the season against the Tennessee Titans.

In addition to the Titans, Chicago will host the Lions, Packers, Vikings, Rams, Seahawks, Jaguars, Titans, Panthers and Patriots.

While the Bears are coming off a tough season, there is hope in Chicago thanks to two star prospects acquired during the 2024 NFL Draft.

SHOP: Chicago Bears 2024 tickets

With the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears selected QB Caleb Williams from USC. But Chicago was not done, also adding WR Rome Odunze from Washington with the No. 9 overall pick

Will Williams be able to lead the Bears back into contention for an NFC North division title?

Support your Bears in person this season, as limited tickets are already on sale.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop 2024 Chicago Bears tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/w9Qd4Je”]

How to buy 2024 Chicago Bears tickets

Want to watch Caleb Wililams and the Chicago Bears in person this season? Tickets are now on sale.

The Chicago Bears’ 2024 schedule was released on Wednesday, May 15 and the Bears open the season against the Tennessee Titans.

In addition to the Titans, Chicago will host the Lions, Packers, Vikings, Rams, Seahawks, Jaguars, Titans, Panthers and Patriots.

While the Bears are coming off a tough season, there is hope in Chicago thanks to two star prospects acquired during the 2024 NFL Draft.

SHOP: Chicago Bears 2024 tickets

With the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears selected QB Caleb Williams from USC. But Chicago was not done, also adding WR Rome Odunze from Washington with the No. 9 overall pick

Will Williams be able to lead the Bears back into contention for an NFC North division title?

Support your Bears in person this season, as limited tickets are already on sale.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop 2024 Chicago Bears tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/w9Qd4Je”]

Bears rookie minicamp photos: Best of Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze in action

The Bears conducted rookie minicamp this weekend. Here are the best photos featuring Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze and others in action.

The Chicago Bears conducted rookie minicamp last weekend, which consisted of two practices at Halas Hall.

Chicago welcomed their five-player draft class, nine-player undrafted rookie class and a handful of rookie and veteran tryout players for the two-day event.

Quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze were the main attractions, and they didn’t disappoint — even if it was just unpadded practices during May.

With rookie minicamp in the books, here’s a look at the best photos from this weekend’s action:

WATCH: Highlights from 2024 Bears rookie minicamp

The Bears conducted rookie minicamp this weekend. Here’s a look at some official highlights, including Caleb Williams.

The Chicago Bears conducted rookie minicamp this weekend, where they welcomed their five-man draft class, nine-player undrafted rookie free agent class and a handful of tryout players to the practice field at Halas Hall.

Quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze were the main attractions during Friday and Saturday’s practices — although Odunze sat out the final day due to hamstring tightness.

The Bears social account shared some quick highlights from this weekend’s rookie minicamp practices:

The Bears will be back on the practice field for the start of organized team activities, which kick off next week. The practices will be conducted May 20-21, May 23, May 28-29 and May 31.

Bear Necessities: Recapping Chicago’s 2024 rookie minicamp

The Bears conducted rookie minicamp this weekend. We recap that and the week’s biggest headlines.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities — weekly offseason edition. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

What’s the latest with the Chicago Bears?

The Bears conducted rookie minicamp this weekend, where their five-player draft class, nine-player undrafted free agent class and a slew of tryout players hit the field at Halas Hall.

As expected, quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze were the biggest stars.

Here’s a look at the most recent and relevant Bears stories for the week of May 5.

Rookie minicamp recap

News from rookie minicamp

Other headlines

Bears rookie minicamp: Photos of Caleb Williams in action on Day 2

The Bears concluded rookie minicamp on Saturday. Check out these photos of Caleb Williams and others in action.

The Chicago Bears concluded rookie minicamp on Saturday, where their five-player draft class, nine-player undrafted rookie free agent class and a handful of tryout players practiced at Halas Hall.

That included Chicago’s star quarterback-wide receiver duo in Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, who were the big focus this weekend. While Odunze was held out of Saturday’s practice with hamstring tightness, Williams showed off his deep ball in the final workout of the weekend.

Here are photos from Saturday’s rookie minicamp practice:

Bears rookie minicamp: Rome Odunze won’t practice Saturday due to hamstring tightness

Bears WR Rome Odunze will be held out of Saturday’s rookie minicamp practice due to hamstring tightness.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for their second and final practice of rookie minicamp, where they’ll be without a high-profile rookie.

According to Chicago media in attendance, wide receiver Rome Odunze won’t practice Saturday due to hamstring tightness.

Odunze was a full participant during Friday’s first practice, where his chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams shined as the pair connected throughout practice.

Odunze, selected ninth overall in the 2024 NFL draft, joins a loaded receivers room that also features DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Opposing defenses will have to pick their poison between the three, and Odunze could thrive alongside his rookie quarterback, Williams.

Ahead of Friday’s practice, Odunze spoke about the important of rookie minicamp for him and Williams as they build their chemistry.

“There’s definitely things you can build within a me-and-him relationship,” Odunze told reporters before Friday’s practice. “But when considering the offense as a whole is installation and bits and pieces you’re learning together and communicating on together. As a wide receiver and a quarterback, of course, we can go out and build chemistry on timing. He can see where he wants to throw the ball depending on my speed of route and different things that I’m doing out there. When it comes to installation of the offense, that’s why we’re here today.”

Unfortunately, one rookie minicamp practice will have to do. But the pair will surely be back at it for organized team activities and other offseason workouts ahead of training camp.

Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze shined on Day 1 of Bears rookie minicamp

The Bears’ rookie quarterback-receiver duo of Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze impressed on the first day of rookie minicamp.

The Chicago Bears kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday, where all eyes were on their pair of top-10 picks — quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.

While it’s impossible to truly evaluate players during unpadded practices in May, it provided the Chicago media with a first glimpse at this highly-touted rookie duo.

According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock, Williams and Odunze shined during their first official practice together as they build their timing and chemistry.

Schrock detailed his observations of Williams and Odunze during Friday’s workout, where everything seemed to go the duo’s way — even when things weren’t perfect.

Williams and Odunze looked the part Friday at Halas Hall. Williams was on time and accurate with almost every pass during the 7-on-7 portion of the day. That included eight completions to Odunze, who moved all around the field during Day 1 of rookie minicamp.

Even the reps that weren’t flawless worked out in the new duo’s favor.

At one point during the 7-on-7 period, Odunze got jammed getting out of his break, which forced Williams to roll out of the pocket and buy time before hitting him along the sideline for a gain of 18-20 yards. It was the type of off-script playmaking from Williams and ad-libbing from Odunze that the Bears hope to see on Sundays, even if it’s not supposed to be featured in 7-on-7 work.

The two Bears rookies briefly chatted after the rep about the route and timing before returning to a solid day of consistently accurate work for Williams.

Williams and Odunze have been working on building their chemistry since they were drafted — heck, even before they were officially teammates. But Friday’s practice marked the first of two important workouts as the pair continue to grow together in this offense.

“There’s definitely things you can build within a me-and-him relationship,” Odunze told reporters before Friday’s practice. “But when considering the offense as a whole is installation and bits and pieces you’re learning together and communicating on together. As a wide receiver and a quarterback, of course, we can go out and build chemistry on timing. He can see where he wants to throw the ball depending on my speed of route and different things that I’m doing out there. When it comes to installation of the offense, that’s why we’re here today.”

Bears rookie minicamp: Photos show Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze in action

The Bears kicked off rookie minicamp Friday. Check out these photos of Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze in action.

The Chicago Bears kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday, where their five-player draft class, nine-player undrafted rookie free agent class and a handful of tryout players practiced at Halas Hall.

That included Chicago’s star quarterback-wide receiver duo in Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, who were the big focus on the first of two practice days this weekend.

Here are photos from Friday’s rookie minicamp practice: