Rome Odunze has a lot to gain in 2026.
One of the Chicago Bears’ top pass catchers, Odunze and quarterback Caleb Williams hit it off early in their pro careers. Odunze was on pace for a breakout season last year after a hot start before a nagging foot injury took him off the field and threw a wet blanket on what was a stock that was clearly on the rise. Sure, he came back for the team’s postseason games. And let’s not forget he made one of the biggest catches in franchise history in that playoff win against the Green Bay Packers. But the injuries and untimely (and uncharacteristic!) drops have left a sour taste in the mouths of some fans.
Nevertheless, I still think about that moment a lot because it gave us a taste of what could be coming if Rome Odunze puts it all together. However, we know that Odunze has a lot of work to do before he reaches that point. Hence, I completely understand why The Athletic chose Odunze as the Bears player with the most on the line in 2026. You can browse through the whole list here. In the meantime, you can read Kevin Fishbain’s assessment of the situation for Odunze entering 2026:
Selected eight picks after quarterback Caleb Williams, Odunze has shown so much promise, but his sophomore NFL season was marred in a foot injury and uncharacteristic drops. He has said that his “new normal” is getting used to his foot following the fracture, which sent shudders through the Bears fan base. If Odunze can put it all together and be the team’s No. 1 receiver, he — like his quarterback — would be in line for a massive payday. The Bears haven’t given a multiyear contract extension to a receiver they drafted since Earl Bennett in 2011.
MORE: Why You Shouldn’t Give Up on Rome Odunze
Fishbain says the quiet part loud, and we shouldn’t ignore it. This is a big year for Rome Odunze, who could position himself to get a hefty pay raise as early as next offseason. You saw that Jaxon Smith-Njigba extension with the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the offseason, right? A big year for Odunze could lead to his own major payday.
We’ve spilled a fair amount of virtual ink on the quarterback and his future contract, but we should keep in mind that our thinking there can also apply to Odunze. A healthy and productive season from Odunze could open the door to many great things. And it all starts by laying a solid foundation at training camp.
Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze gets gang-tackled by the Packers. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesRome Odunze is One of Five Bears With a Lot on the Line as Training Camp 2026 Begins
Wide receiver Rome Odunze is one of a handful of players who have a lot to gain when the Chicago Bears open training camp. But he isn’t alone. Here are four more Bears players with much to gain during training camp and in 2026 as a whole:
Austin Booker, defensive end — The Bears didn’t bring in a big-name defensive end to rush the passer this offseason, which means Austin Booker gets a chance to shine and quiet critics who share their concerns about the defensive line. In his first two seasons, we’ve watched Booker use training camp and the preseason to call attention to his game. If he can do it again, I’ll be curious to see if it carries over into the regular season. Hopefully, Booker can stay healthy this summer.MORE: Is Austin Booker Ready to Take on a More Meaningful Role in 2026?
Braxton Jones, left tackle — Even though Braxton Jones began the 2025 season as the starting left tackle, he didn’t finish the year in that spot. After being removed from the lineup, Jones saw Theo Benedet and Ozzy Trapilo hold down the fort. An injury kept him from being available for a chunk of the season, and he was unable to give it a go when the Bears were in the playoffs. However, Jones is healthy now and has a clear path to a starting job. This isn’t to say that Theo Benedet, Kiran Amegadjie, or Jedrick Wills Jr. can’t make a push. But Jones is well-positioned to earn (and keep) a starting gig in 2026. And it all starts with a good showing at training camp.BRAXTON JONES IS MOTIVATED AFTER GETTING A REALITY CHECK IN 2025
Tyrique Stevenson, cornerback — Another year, another camp competition awaits cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. Last year, we saw Nahshon Wright use training camp to lay the foundation for what was a most unexpected Pro Bowl season. Even with Wright gone, Stevenson still finds himself in a battle for a starting job — this year, it is with rookie fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad. It would behoove Stevenson to bring his A-game to camp early and often.CHECK IT OUT: Al Harris Still Believes | Tyrique is Sweating the Small Stuff
Caleb Williams, quarterback — Hear me out! After an offseason of glitz, glamour, and seemingly never-ending praise, Williams enters his third training camp with the Bears looking to reach new heights. There will be people who will ask if the offseason of good vibes will make Williams and his teammates complacent. And I understand why, because fans of a certain age have seen that scenario play out in the past. But if Williams can set the tone early at Bears camp, those questions will disappear.THE BN BEARS PODCAST LIVES HERE: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
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