Rome Odunze hasn’t scored a touchdown this season. Nor has he posted a 100-yard receiving game. But you can’t tell me that the third-year wide receiver hasn’t leveled up his game in 2026. If you could, then you’d be lying to me — and yourself.
The Rome Odunze breakout that you’ve been waiting for is here.
It just doesn’t look like you thought it would.
In 2025, Odunze got off to a scorching start. If you’ll recall, Odunze had 20 catches, 296 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns in his first four games last season. He became the first Bears player to score a touchdown in each of the team’s first four (or more) games of a season since the legendary Walter Payton did it in 1986. To do something that hadn’t been done since Sweetness is simply remarkable.
Rome Odunze (15) takes the field prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn ImagesUnfortunately, a foot injury sidetracked Odunze’s season. And after a slow-ish start in 2026, there were questions asked about what could be on the horizon for Odunze. Now that we’ve seen what the answer looks like, I’m curious to see what it looks like over a full season. But before we get there, I like what I’m seeing right now:
Wide receivers this season with 30+ targets and an explosive play rate of 20% or higher. t.co/drPSASxspP
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) November 3, 2026Romes route on Josh Jobe. ? This guy is turning Into an absolute route technician. ? #DaBears t.co/2RW6alCf68
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) November 3, 2026Rome Odunze is WR3 in catches of 15+ yards (19). He’s also the only WR with 11+ explosive catches to not have a TD on them. That’ll change soon.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) November 3, 2026Kalif Raymond turned on the burners ? ?: ESPN t.co/iFUiG5Priz
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 3, 2026Rome Odunze Is Emerging Into an All-Around Receiver In 2026
If you’re wondering why I put Kalif Raymond’s speed run above, watch the clip again. Look at Rome Odunze at the top of the screen. Watch how he engages in blocking that defender. It is the kind of ruthless and aggressive blocking that Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson demands from his pass catchers. And it sure is fun to watch.
We highlighted Odunze’s blocking efforts from Thursday Night Football before Monday’s game. We’re seeing this type of effort from Odunze with consistency. Plus, he is starting to make the most of the targets he is getting. It all makes me believe that the breakout we’ve been waiting for out of Odunze is here. And I couldn’t be happier about this development.
These are the numbers Odunze is on pace to post this season:
94 targets 60 catches 995 receiving yardsOK, so that doesn’t look like what you’d expect from afore breakout. I get it. You want 1,000+ yards, 10+ touchdowns, and 100+ catches. And hey, I want that, too. But there is more to being a receiver than catching the ball and racking up yards. That might be one of the biggest lessons we’ve learned two years into the Ben Johnson Era. And to think, you wouldn’t have to work hard to build a case that the best is still yet to come for Odunze.
Oct 18, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) celebrates during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesRome Odunze might not have the big numbers just yet. And when he gets them, they might not come every week. But more could be on the horizon, especially with tight end Cole Kmet moving to IR possibly leading to more 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) packages in the coming weeks
Odunze ranks sixth in routes run (284) and has the NFL’s eighth-highest yards per reception (16.7) for receivers. He also has an average depth of target (15.4) that ranks 11th. Because of the weapons around Odunze, he can’t be force-fed the ball like other WR1s. But that doesn’t mean he can’t fulfill his destiny of becoming one. And after watching Odunze have his two best games against two of the stingiest defenses against the pass, I look forward to what’s next. Stay tuned.
CHECK OUT THE BN BEARS PODCAST: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
Hence then, the article about that rome odunze breakout you ve been waiting for is here was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( That Rome Odunze Breakout You’ve Been Waiting For Is Here )
Also on site :