Rome Odunze scared Chicago Bears fans and fantasy football analysts when he revealed that his foot injury might have to prepare him for a ‘new normal’ in the NFL. It had many assuming that Odunze had an issue that was not going away and he had to deal with it more than recover from it.
However, he came out during his first media session in training camp to clarify his comments. Odunze meant something completely different when he said that this would be a new normal.
Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze Enters Training Camp Fully Healthy
“My foot feels great,” said Odunze on his recovery. “Honesty its not even something I think about anymore. I know ‘new normal’ has connotations like it's chronic or severe; it's not like that at all.”
Full answer from Rome Odunze clarifying his “new normal” comment about his foot injury: https://t.co/8I6rR5ahhA pic.twitter.com/nO3FG61JtA
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) July 30, 2026
When he was discussing a new normal, he meant the grind of the NFL, and playing through injuries and having to tough it out every week. Every player suffers bumps and bruises through the year. Odunze was acknowledging that side of the game.
So, while many spent the summer concerned about what will happen to Odunze with his foot, Odunze has been working out as normal and is ready to take a step forward this year.
That is important because this is a big year for the former top ten pick.
Odunze had 734 yards during his rookie year. However, he only averaged 1.18 yards per route run on an inefficient offense. He went into year two assuming he could produce more with an efficient offense. His efficiency did increase as he jumped to 1.53 yards per route run.
However, he only played in 12 games and had 11 fewer targets, leading to 661 yards. He saw his yards per game jump from 43 to 55, but he was not on the field enough for it to show that he was a better player.
Now, Odunze is looking to mix in the production and volume of his first year with the efficiency and potential of his second season. That would lead to him becoming a core member of the offense.
Right now, there are questions as to how the pecking order will shake out. Odunze is joined by Colston Loveland as the two young former top-ten picks. However, a lot of talk centers around Luther Burden as the potential leader in production. Odunze needs to come into the year healthy and strong to lead the way.
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