The Chicago Bears made a seamless selection with their first-round picks in 2024, selecting quarterback Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze.
Williams and Odunze had some pleasant moments throughout 2024, but the team's 5-12 record affected what could have been memorable rookie seasons. Both are entering the new season with higher expectations, with some in the media predicting breakout seasons for them in 2025.
CBS Sports writer Chris Trapasso named Odunze as one of his six second-year players in the NFL primed for a breakout season in 2025.
"Odunze's strengths remained his strengths as a rookie -- imagine that. He hauled in a seismic 73% of his contested-catch opportunities after dazzling in that rebounding element at Washington in 2022 and 2023. Like Caleb Williams, his first year in the NFL got a worse reputation than his actual play or performance.
Did you know Odunze only had 134 fewer receiving yards than the ultra-hyped, can-do-no-wrong rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024? Yeah, that's it --134 fewer yards. Sure, you can suggest with Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III and, of course, D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet, there simply won't be enough targets for Odunze to emerge in Year 2.
Fair argument. I do believe Odunze will be productive enough early to take targets away from his fellow receiver teammates. He has a soccer net sized catch radius and is a smooth athlete for his size. Odunze is going to rock the back-shoulder game with Williams in 2025."
Odunze has all the tools for a stellar 2025 campaign
One element of the Bears' offense that will look different from 2024 is the absence of Keenan Allen. That opens the door for Odunze to fit into that number two receiver role behind D.J. Moore, and depending on 2025, goes could move up to number one.
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has brought the best out of his receivers, including his former top target in Detroit, Amon-Ra St. Brown. Odunze has the size and hand radius advantage over St. Brown that can make him more dangerous in the right offense.
Even with Moore just being 28, the eventual goal for Chicago is to have Williams and Odunze be the QB-WR duo of the future. Williams looked Odunze's way 101 times last year, so there is optimism that the chemistry is getting in a good position.
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2025 could end up being a massive season for Odunze, who has all the capabilities to become a number one receiver. Watch for him to be a candidate to hit 1,000 yards with an improved offense in Chicago.