A Slow Start That No One Expected

When the Chicago Bears drafted Rome Odunze 9th overall, the expectation was clear. He was supposed to be a future WR1. He was supposed to be a matchup nightmare. He was supposed to be the type of player who immediately elevates an offense. Five weeks into the season, that version of Odunze has not arrived yet. The talent is still obvious, but the production has dipped significantly compared to last year, and the Bears need more from him.

Odunze has not recorded a 100 yard game this season. He has not found the end zone. His weekly stat lines tell the story. Two receptions for 52 yards in Week 1. Three for 43 in Week 2. Three for 44 in Week 3. Six for 94 in Week 4, which has been his best outing so far. Then three for 40 against Green Bay. These are not the numbers of a top ten pick who was expected to become a centerpiece of the offense.

The comparison to last season makes the drop even more noticeable. Odunze opened 2025 with six catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. He followed that with seven for 128 and two touchdowns. Then three for 63 and a touchdown. Then 4 for 69 and another touchdown. Through four games last year, he had four touchdowns and nearly 300 yards. Through five games this year, he has no touchdowns and barely over 250 yards. 

Mistakes Are Becoming Part of the Story

The production decline is only part of the issue. The mistakes are becoming harder to ignore. Odunze fumbled against the Packers. He has dropped easy touchdowns. He has dropped easy throws. And it has not been tied to one quarterback. The drops have happened with Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, and Caleb Williams. That inconsistency is what frustrates the coaching staff the most.

Odunze was drafted because of his reliability, his catch radius, and his ability to win contested plays. Those traits have not consistently shown up this season. The Bears offense has been dealing with injuries, quarterback changes, and rhythm issues, but Odunze’s struggles are independent of those factors. He has had opportunities. He has had targets. He has not capitalized.

It is still too early to call him a bust. The physical tools are still elite. The flashes are still real. But Odunze needs to settle in, regain confidence, and become a dependable part of the passing game.

Chicago Needs Him to Solidify Himself as a True WR2

The Bears do not need Odunze to be a superstar right now. They need him to be reliable. They need him to be consistent. They need him to be at least the second most dependable receiver on the roster. With Caleb Williams nearing his return, the offense is about to stabilize. Williams protects the football, plays with rhythm, and elevates his receivers. That should help Odunze find better opportunities.

But the responsibility still falls on Odunze. He must clean up the drops. He must protect the football. He must win his matchups. Chicago drafted him to be a long term building block. That means he cannot disappear for stretches or rely solely on flashes. The Bears need him to be a weekly contributor, not an occasional one.

The Talent Is Real, But the Urgency Is Rising

Rome Odunze is not a bust. He is not a lost cause. He is not a failed pick. But he is underperforming, and the numbers make that impossible to ignore. The Bears need him to step up. They need him to become a consistent part of the offense. They need him to look like the player they drafted ninth overall.

With Caleb Williams returning soon, Odunze will have a chance to reset and rebuild momentum. The Bears believe in his talent. Now he needs to reward that belief with production.