The Chicago Bears' 2025 training camp is in full swing as the coaching staff continues to work out their veterans and rookies at Halas Hall. It's head coach Ben Johnson's first training camp in the Windy City, meaning it's crucial for all new and returning players to do whatever it takes to win over their new bench boss.
Bears fans have been interested to see how certain players will perform under Johnson's watch, including second-year wideout Rome Odunze. Drafted ninth overall last year, Odunze had a solid rookie campaign in the Windy City; however, the Chicago faithful wants to see what Johnson can do after the 39-year-old HC played a big role in the Detroit Lions' development of WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Even though there's plenty of time before the regular season starts, it looks like Odunze is already poised to play a big role in Johnson's offense in 2025.
Bears WR Rome Odunze Already Impressing Ben Johnson in Training Camp
Odunze has been having a strong start to training camp, and it's gotten to the point where Johnson had to say something about it. On Monday morning, the Bears head coach had nothing but praise for the ex-Washington product's early summertime performance.
"(Odunze) fits the prototypical X-receiver where you can line him up outside the numbers... Provided he gets a 1-on-1 with a corner, he's going to win most of his matchups," Johnson said (h/t @dave_bfr). "When you have a long guy that can win contested catches and tort down the field and all that, but yet still drop his weight and get into and out of routes... That's a really unique skill set that we're going to look to capitalize on."
Bears HC Ben Johnson praised WR Rome Odunze, calling him a “prototypical X receiver” and saying he’s been “really impressive” in camp, especially in 1-on-1 matchups pic.twitter.com/5XGvZquSDE
— Dave (@dave_bfr) July 29, 2025
A coach giving a ringing endorsement to any player this early into training camp is a great thing, so Bears fans should be excited to see what's in store for Odunze. If all goes to plan and Johnson uses the 23-year-old WR to his potential, it might not be long before the rest of the NFL understands why Odunze led the nation with 1,640 receiving yards in his final collegiate season.
Although he didn't exactly match those heights in Year 1 of his NFL career, Odunze still had a rookie campaign to remember. The Orem, UT native may have only caught 54-of-101 (53.5%) of targets thrown his way, but he still converted those opportunities into 734 receiving yards and three touchdowns, and even tallied 15 rushing yards on three carries.
By the time all was said and done, Odunze received Pro Football Focus grades of 63.8 and 65.3 for overall offense and receiving, respectively.
With rookie WR Luther Burden III's offseason riddled by injuries, the Bears need Odunze and D.J. Moore to lead by example throughout the rest of camp. Veteran wideouts Olamide Zaccheaus, Tyler Scott, and Devin Duvernay are in the mix, too, but expectations for that trio aren't nearly as high as they (rightfully) should be for the Odunze-Moore tandem.
Hopefully, Odunze makes the most of having an offensive guru like Johnson leading the team. If he continues to impress the Bears HC, the sky will truly be the former All-American WR's limit in 2025.