After roster cuts heading into the new season, the Chicago Bears were right in the middle of the pack (16th) in terms average age per player (26.23 years old) according to Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice.
With a mix of veterans and young players that's easy to see via a simple glance at the roster, the Bears having that mid-point standing in average age is not a surprise. Pending the official naming of team captains, we can pretty easily tab who the veteran leaders are on the 2025 team (Joe Thuney, Montez Sweat, DJ Moore, etc.)
But leadership can (and should) come from anyone, whether they wear a "C " on their chest or not.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic recently rounded up some insight from around the league, with an note for all 32 teams.
Wide receiver Rome Odunze was the subject of said intel from the Bears' facility.
"Second-year wideout Rome Odunze has taken on more of a natural leadership role, which has impressed those in every corner of the building. The No. 9 pick of the 2024 draft quietly tallied just 54 catches for 734 yards and three touchdowns last season, but he’s growing in new coach Ben Johnson’s system on and off the field. The Bears believe it’s important for quarterback Caleb Williams to have leadership support within other positional groups.”
Rome Odunze is stepping into a leadership role for the Bears
By all accounts, Odunze is ready to put a disappointing rookie season behind him and have a full-on breakout this year. Time will tell if that happens, but Howe's insight is not the first indication Odunze is establishing himself as a team leader.
It comes with the territory to some extent, but Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is subjected to criticism for all kinds of reasons. Odunze was recently asked why his quarterback gets so much hate.
"I don't know, man. Y'all are gonna have to tell me. Y'all write the stories on that boy", Odunze said. "Y'all put that stuff out there for everybody to read. I don't know, I mean it comes with (being) the No. 1 pick, you know, and he's himself, at the end of the day. When you're the No. 1 pick and you're yourself, you're gonna get a lotta hate...It's sad to say that, but that's just kinda the light we were put in.
"He comes in, he works hard every single day, and he's himself", Odunze said. "So I appreciate him for that, and I think we're gearing up for a good year."
Read more: Micah Parsons trade ramps up pressure on Montez Sweat to have rebound season
As the quarterback, Williams is naturally lifted to an expected role as a team leader for the Bears and he will surely be up to that task. But Odunze's emergence as a leader is undeniably a great thing, and it's really just starting to getting noticed.