Rome Odunze is preparing to help the Chicago Bears have an even better season than the magical one they had last year, and that’s likely the sole focus for the young receiver right now. However, it’s fair to say 2026 will be the most important season that Odunze has faced thus far.
With veteran wideout D.J. Moore now a member of the Buffalo Bills, Odunze has the pressure to be Chicago’s No. 1 receiver. Beyond that, Odunze will be eligible for an extension after the 2026 season. While the Bears won’t have to immediately think about an extension since the wideout has two more possible years on his contract after this season, upcoming contracts are always on teams’ minds.
While Odunze’s eventual contract extension may have been in the back of the Bears’ minds, it was brought to the forefront on Thursday when another young receiver in the division got paid. The Green Bay Packers extended Christian Watson to a four-year deal worth $110.5 million.
Considering Watson’s production in his first four seasons, many people are arguing that this is a hefty payday for the receiver. For the Bears, the thought becomes: if Watson is getting paid that much, how much will Chicago have to pay to keep Odunze?
Packers’ extension of Christian Watson reminds Bears to prepare for Rome Odunze payday
Watson has been a productive weapon in Green Bay, but injuries and the Packers’ deep wide receiver room have limited his production. As a rookie, he caught 41 passes for 611 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games, but he only appeared in nine games in year two, catching 28 passes for 422 yards and five touchdowns.
His numbers went back up in 2024, when Watson played 15 games and caught 29 passes for 620 yards and two touchdowns, but they dipped a bit this past season, as he played just 10 games and caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns.
It’s understandable that the Packers want to keep Watson around, but considering his injury history and the fact that just over 600 receiving yards is what a good year looks like for him four years in, a lot of people are surprised to see him get nearly $28 million a year.
Odunze, just two years deep in the NFL, has already had two seasons better than Watson’s best year. As a rookie, the Bears receiver caught 54 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns. An injury limited him to only 12 games in 2025, but he still posted 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns.
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If health is on Odunze’s side, he will only get better in the NFL. That means the Bears need to start preparing to pay him north of $30 million when it’s time for his extension.
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