Bears offensive weapon poised for breakout second NFL season

At the start of every NFL season, fans and analysts alike are searching endlessly for the next player to come out of nowhere and have a breakout season. This time around, it's looking like betting your cards on Chicago Bears wide out Rome Odunze is a safe bet thanks to a brand new offense and improving quarterback.

Out of all the young wide receivers trying to make a name for themself in the NFL, Rome Odunze stands out the most as the one to join the upper ranks--so much so that he was ranked as one of the top breakout candidates in fantasy football this year, according to ESPN. Other potential breakout candidates at wide receiver, included in the article, were the San Francisco 49ers' Ricky Pearsall and the Arizona Cardinals' Marvin Harrison Jr.

How can Odunze have a great 2025 season with new head coach?

The hype surrounding Odunze stems from the second-year wide receiver hauling in 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns. These are honestly solid numbers for a rookie, especially when you factor in that they were achieved in an offense that ranked dead last in production with 284.6 yards per game.

Now with former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson taking the lead, Odunze--and the entire Bears offense--should anticipate a more high-flying attack mirroring the one Johnson built from the ground up in Detroit.

Before Johnson arrived in Detroit, the Lions' passing attack was essentially lifeless, and quarterback Jared Goff struggled as the leader of the offense, often opting for check-down passes instead of throwing the ball downfield. This all changed when Johnson arrived in Detroit. From Day 1, he implemented a stout run game to pair with an aerial attack. This vertically minded offense led to some of Goff's best years and turned playmakers like Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown into stars. A similar outcome is set to take place in the Windy City.

One downside to Odunze is that he finds himself in a crowded wide receiver room alongside the speedster DJ Moore and rookie Luther Burden. So far, however, it seems Odunze is building a rapport with quarterback Caleb Williams, who is slated to make a giant leap this upcoming season. The two have been getting along well, and Odunze claimed Williams could be the best quarterback in the NFL.

That's a gutsy claim from Odunze. And it's one we hope is true for the sake of general manager Ryan Poles' job.

Read more: Unexpected Bears player's success in preseason could lead to higher trade value

Thanks to a new offense and an improving quarterback, Odunze is set for a breakout season. He's an ideal candidate to take in the mid rounds of your fantasy football draft. Odunze is predicted to go in the seventh round in the majority of 12-team leagues, per ESPN.