ROME ODUNZE NEWS

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels' Hail Mary throw a first by a rookie in 25 years

The play of Week 8 was the first of its kind since 1999. Here are the details, plus a look at the rookie receiver upstaging the top picks.

4 DAYS AGO

Leading receiver in loss Odunze recorded three receptions on six targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Commanders. He added two rushes for 13 yards.

Impact Odunze ended with a modest stat line, but his ability to command opportunity stood out. Caleb Williams attempted only 24 passes in the low-scoring affair, which led to Odunze finishing second on the team in targets -- Keenan Allen earned seven -- while leading the way in receptions and yards. The Bears also made a point to get Odunze involved in the offense with two rushing attempts, another indication that he could see an expanded role throughout the second half of the season.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Leading receiver in loss Odunze recorded three receptions on six targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Commanders. He added two rushes for 13 yards.

Impact Odunze ended with a modest stat line, but his ability to command opportunity stood out. Caleb Williams attempted only 24 passes in the low-scoring affair, which led to Odunze finishing second on the team in targets -- Keenan Allen earned seven -- while leading the way in receptions and yards. The Bears also made a point to get Odunze involved in the offense with two rushing attempts, another indication that he could see an expanded role throughout the second half of the season.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

How Jaguars rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has become a dangerous WR1 so quickly

Brian Thomas Jr. has arguably been the NFL's best rookie wide receiver this season. His dominant play only starts with his breakaway speed.

OCTOBER 22

Rome Odunze on how he got his name and number | Sippin' with Screeden Lauren Screeden sits down with Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze in this week's "Sippin' with Screeden" brought to you by Dunki...

OCTOBER 16 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Solid yardage total in victory Odunze caught two passes for 40 yards in the Bears' 35-16 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.

Impact In a game that Caleb Williams spread the ball around to his top-five options, there wasn't enough volume for Odunze to have a big performance. Other than a 112-yard performance in Week 3, the rookie has yet to have more than 40 yards in a game. He's settling in as a low-upside offense based on lack of consistent target volume.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHT: Caleb Williams' 28-yard fastball to Rome Odunze gets Bears to midfield Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' finds receiver Rome Odunze for a 28-yard gain.

OCTOBER 13 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Five catches in Week 5 win Odunze caught five of six targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 36-10 win over the Panthers.

Impact Odunze tied Keenan Allen for second on the team in targets, but DJ Moore continued to work as the clear leader in Chicago's passing game, turning his team-high eight targets into 105 yards and two touchdowns. Of Odunze's 206 receiving yards through five games, 112 came in a Week 3 outburst while Allen was sidelined by a heel injury. The rookie first-round pick's speed could give Jacksonville's struggling secondary trouble in Week 6, but Odunze has a low floor while battling Moore and Allen for targets.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to one catch Sunday Odunze secured one of three targets for 10 yards in the Bears' 24-18 win over the Rams on Sunday.

Impact The rookie shifted back to a No. 3 role with Keenan Allen returning from a two-game absence due to a heel injury, and he saw a major downturn in production as a result. Odunze's target and yardage totals were his lowest yet through four games, so he'll have plenty of room for improvement in a Week 5 home matchup against the Panthers.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to face Rams Odunze (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Impact Odunze was a full practice participant Friday, after the Bears added him to their injury report Thursday as a limited participant. He's emerged as the top downfield target in Chicago -- coming off a 6-112-1 receiving line and league-high 235 air yards Week 3 against the Colts -- but Odunze's volume projection will get a modest bump downward if Keenan Allen (hip - questionable) ends up playing Sunday after progressing to full practice participation Friday.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Rome Odunze on seizing every opportunity in Week 4 | Bears Weekly Tune in to this week's episode of Bears Weekly, where Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, and Jim Miller welcome Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze. They...

SEPTEMBER 27 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Rome Odunze seeing preparation, hard work 'come to fruition' Bears receiver Rome Odunze recorded his first 100-yard NFL game last Sunday when he and quarterback Caleb Williams showcased their connectio...

SEPTEMBER 26 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Tending to hip issue Odunze practiced in a limited capacity Thursday due to a hip injury.

Impact Odunze is a midweek addition to the Bears' Week 4 practice report, but the current issue differs from the MCL sprain that he suffered in the season opener and impacted his practice reps during Weeks 2 and 3. He was able to tough out the injury the last two games while Keenan Allen (heel) was sidelined, combining for eight catches (on 16 targets) for 145 yards and one touchdown during that span. Allen has cobbled together back-to-back capped sessions this week, so their respective listings on Friday's report will be one to monitor in advance of Sunday's contest against the Rams.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

The Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze connection beginning to blossom

Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze getting on the same page this quickly is good news given that the rookie duo will be together for a long time...

SEPTEMBER 24

Rome Odunze's breakout game vs. Colts | Thayer's Playbook | Chicago Bears vs. Colts | Thayer's Playbook Chicago Bears Radio analyst Tom Thayer breaks down game tape and shows how Rome Odunze's role in the passing attack made way for big plays a...

SEPTEMBER 24 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Every Rome Odunze reception through 3 weeks in NFL Check out every Rome Odunze reception through 3 weeks in NFL.

SEPTEMBER 23 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Rome Odunze records first career TD, 100-yard performance against Colts Bears rookie receiver Rome Odunze showcased what made him this year's No. 9 overall draft pick, totaling a game-high 112 receiving yards Sun...

SEPTEMBER 22 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Leading receiver in loss Odunze caught six of 11 targets for 112 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 21-16 loss to the Colts.

Impact He added two rushing yards on one carry. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw his first two career TDs, and his fellow 2024 draftee Odunze was on the other end of the first one, a one-yard strike in the fourth quarter. The wideout's 11 targets were more than he saw in the first two games combined, and Odunze's role in the Chicago offense -- and his chemistry with Williams -- continues to grow ahead of a Week 4 clash with the Rams.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Every Rome Odunze catch from 112-yard game | 2024 Week 3 Watch all six of rookie receiver Rome Odunze's receptions, including his first NFL touchdown, from his 112-yard performance against the Indi...

SEPTEMBER 22 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Caleb Williams throws first NFL touchdown pass to fellow rookie Rome Odunze Williams finally did it in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts.

SEPTEMBER 22 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Caleb Williams connects with Rome Odunze for rookies' first NFL TD Caleb Williams lofts a 1-yard touchdown pass to receiver Rome Odunze, the first NFL touchdown for both rookies.

SEPTEMBER 22 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Caleb Williams floats 27-yard pass to Rome Odunze Bears quarterback Caleb Williams again finds receiver Rome Odunze, this time for a 27-yard gain.

SEPTEMBER 22 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

CAN'T-MISS HIGHLIGHT: Caleb Williams finds Rome Odunze for 47-yard pickup Bears quarterback Caleb Williams connects with receiver Rome Odunze for 47 yards.

SEPTEMBER 22 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Good to go for Week 3 Odunze (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Colts, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Odunze upgraded to full practice participation Friday after being limited the previous two days. He played 66 of Chicago's 70 snaps on offense in a Week 2 loss at Houston despite suffering an MCL sprain the week before in a win over Tennessee. Keenan Allen, meanwhile, is out for a second straight game with a heel injury.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Stays limited Thursday Odunze (knee) was limited in practice Thursday.

Impact Odunze now has a pair of capped sessions under his belt this week, which is one more than he managed during Week 2 prep before he was able to suit up this past Sunday in Houston. With Keenan Allen (heel) sidelined for that contest, Odunze earned 66 of 70 offensive snaps, but the huge workload didn't amount to much for him in the box score (two catches for 33 yards on five targets). Allen hasn't practiced this week and thus seems to be trending toward another absence Sunday at Indianapolis, so Odunze would be in line for another key spot in the Bears' receiving corp this weekend, assuming he's active.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE