Is Rome Odunze Ready for WR1 Duties?

After a 2025 season that began with growth and promise, wide receiver Rome Odunze’s year was derailed by injury and a crowded depth chart. But now with wideout D.J. Moore gone, the path is clear for him to emerge as the Chicago Bears’ definite WR1. During the 2025 NFL season, Odunze recorded 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns.

The Blueprint for Rome Oduze to Take WR1 Responsibilities

The 2026 Outlook (Signs of a Potential Breakout)

The Bears’ decision to trade D.J. Moore this offseason has vacated a significant target share. This leaves the door open for Rome Odunze as the undisputed primary option for quarterback Caleb Williams.

In the first four weeks of 2025, Odunze was the third-best receiver in fantasy leagues, recording five touchdowns in that span. When healthy and prioritized, his ceiling is high. With Moore absent, Odunze is expected to absorb a large portion of the 85-plus targets Moore commanded. 

The Bears have massive receiver depth. But Odunze’s established rapport with Williams gives him the edge for ‘first-read’ WR1 status. But again, health has been an issue.

A stress fracture in his foot hampered his efficiency late in the year and forced him to miss the final five games of the regular season. Reports entering 2026 indicate he is fully healthy, which is vital for his explosive play down the field.

Improvements Odunze Needs to Make

Analysts point to specific technical and situational hurdles Oduze must address to solidify himself as a true number one receiver.

Coming out of the University of Washington, a primary critique was his reliance on ‘contested catches’ rather than pure separation. To thrive as the number one option, Odunze needs to tighten his route running in the intermediate 10-20 yards. Ultimately, this can be used to create cleaner windows for Caleb Williams.

In 2025, his efficiency dipped when faced with physical man-to-man coverage. Improving his release at the line of scrimmage will prevent him from being jammed early and forced to run his route off-balance.

Last season, Rome Odunze and his production fell off a cliff after the Week 5 bye (averaged only three catches per game before injury). Part of this was his own inefficiency, but another part was the emergence of tight end Colston Loveland. Maintaining mental and physical stamina throughout the full 17-game slate is his next big hurdle.

While he had 13 end-zone targets as a rookie, many were not catchable. Improving his chemistry with Williams on ‘back-shoulder’ and ‘fade’ routes will be essential. This can result in converting those high-volume opportunities into points. 

Reflection

Rome Odunze has the rare size-speed combination to be a game-changer. When healthy and able to redefine his technical route-breaking, he is positioned to be the first Chicago Bears receiver in years to dominate as a true WR1.