The Chicago Bears have a great problem on their hands right now. They have at least two wide receivers who could make a legitimate WR1 case, plus Colston Loveland, who can also be the focal point of any team's passing game.
Even so, due to his hierarchy, status as a former first-round pick, and the pecking order, most people expect Rome Odunze to claim the top spot, at least for now. And with D.J. Moore gone, there will be even more opportunities for him.
That's why he knows he has to be at his best, which means learning from those who did it first and did it better. Talking to Cam Newton on his 4th&1 show, the former Washington star revealed he's been watching Davante Adams, Julio Jones, and even Puka Nacua.
Rome Odunze is looking to take another leap in year 3
“I looked up to guys like Davante Adams, Julio Jones, I was even watching some Puka (Nacua) film from last year, especially at the catch point,” Odunze said. “I want to be better at the catch point this year when it comes to contested catches, catching in stride, and all of those different things. Making the quarterback look good when I need to… When it might be a go-make-a-play play, I want to make that play. I watch film on all of those guys and continue to study that and I’ll display that this season, for sure.”
Drops weren't much of an issue with Odunze last season. He dropped just five passes in 2025, the same number he dropped as a rookie. Per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he's logged drop rates of 8.5 and 9.4 percent, respectively.
In terms of contested catches, however, he wasn't nearly as proficient in year two as he was in college and in his first campaign. He went from hauling in 13 of 20 contested catches (72.2 percent) as a rookie to just seven of 20 last season (35 percent). Also, three of his intended targets resulted in interceptions.
Odunze plays with one of the most talented quarterbacks in the game. Caleb Williams can make every throw in the book, though with the Bears trying to slow things down and make life easier for him, they'll likely try to dial him back a bit next season.
That's why having wideouts who can make him look good will be so crucial to his development. Odunze is ridiculously skilled and has a big, strong, and sturdy body with an impressive catch radius, so he's doing the right thing by working on his catch point skills.
The Bears were one of the most electrifying teams in the league last season, and expectations will be even higher in year two of the Ben Johnson era. They have the weapons to make every defense in the league look foolish, but talent alone can only get players so far.
Iron sharpens iron. Odunze is watching the best to be like the best, and that will inevitably push everybody in the wide receiver room to do the same. It might sound simple or just like part of his job, but if done right, this could be a major factor in 2026.
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