It has become incredibly clear that the Chicago Bears are heading into the 2026 season with a lot riding on Rome Odunze and Luther Burden taking expected leaps. Both receivers are expected to take a heavier load after lost depth and the notable trade of DJ Moore has freed up targets. With this in mind, fans had to be paying very close attention to Odunze answering questions about his return from a foot injury suffered last season.
Chicago Tribune's Sean Hammond covered Odunze's comments with the most notable tidbit being the pass catcher calling rehab and dealing with the concerns as his "new normal' this had to catch the attention of fans. While Odunze talked about raising a Super Bowl trophy and being careful to keep up his rehab as well, a sticking point is undeniably Odunze making it clear that he is still actively dealing with concerns around the past injury.
This serves as a reminder of how thin Chicago's current depth chart is at the position and the fact that they aren't built to absorb a meaningful injury. If Odunze were to miss time, it would leave a clear question mark, making it clear that a reunion with Keenan Allen would be in the best interest of all involved, giving the franchise depth without blocking the expected progress of its young pass catchers.
Latest Rome Odunze Update Should Have Bears Considering Keenan Allen Reunion
Allen spent the 2024 season with the Bears, already having a level of chemistry with Caleb Williams. It makes sense to add the veteran as insurance and a piece that can be utilized as much as needed without pressuring the Bears to create opportunities if the young stars take the expected leaps and are able to remain healthy.
Odunze talking about his "new normal" simply served as a reminder of the limited depth the Bears currently have rostered and how easily Allen can change this. Even at this late stage of his career, the receiver has offered more than 700 receiving yards each of the past two seasons despite playing in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Playing with the Los Angeles Chargers a season ago, Allen was in a struggling offense that lacked creativity or an offensive line to give Justin Herbert time. This was a year after leaving a Chicago team that was yet to make the needed coaching changes that now have the Bears firmly established as a top NFC contender.
All of this adds up to Chicago having a clear signing to explore with Allen, providing a level of stability, and being a veteran, the team can easily turn the page on if younger pieces develop and step up as hoped.
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