Rome Odunze flipped the script on his own father in Bears' big win vs. Giants

It’s been a loud week for Chicago Bears receiver Rome Odunze, but not by his own doing. The receiver found his way into headlines after his father took to social media to criticize Chicago’s usage of the wideout, arguing that Odunze should be traded. The team, and the second-year receiver, refused to feed into the comments, but they did have the perfect response on Sunday.

That response came in the form of a big game for Odunze. The wide receiver was targeted 10 times, leading the Bears with six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, and most importantly, Chicago defeated the New York Giants 24-20.

Rome Odunze and Bears respond with big game after father suggested trade

In sports, the best answers come between the lines; on-field performances always have the last say. It was Odunze’s numbers in Week 3 that led to his father going on a social media tirade. Although Chicago defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 47-42, Odunze didn’t post any stats, only being targeted three times in the game.

His father certainly wasn’t satisfied, drawing attention to his son’s lack of targets, and also endorsing posts from other users, asking for Odunze to be traded. The Bears' social media team seemingly responded to the criticism, sharing a mic’d up video of Odunze staying involved in the game and hyping up teammates. The video was posted with the simple caption, “Selfless.”

When Odunze was asked about his father’s comments, the young receiver brushed the entire situation off as not a big deal. Odunze emphasized that his father has his own opinions, and likes to share some of them online. Ultimately, the wideout made it clear that those are just his father’s thoughts, and they aren’t reflective of how he feels.

As for how Odunze feels, he expressed that he was happy and just trying to do his job to help the organization, and excel in every facet. Still, that didn’t stop him from having fun with the fact that he had a big game immediately after his father criticized the team. When asked about being targeted on the first play of the game, Odunze joked, “thanks dad.”

The truth is, Rome Odunze has always been a priority in the Bears offense, even if the numbers don’t always reflect that. As this young group continues to grow, Odunze will surely start to have the kind of production his father will be satisfied with.