The Chicago Bears are expecting to have first-round rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze back on the practice field when they resume OTAs this week.
The No. 9 overall pick in 2024, Odunze, has not participated in team drills since May 10, the day after rookie minicamp began due to hamstring strain. For “precautionary” reasons, he did not take part in any of the team’s first three OTA practices or the second and final day of minicamp last week, according to NBC Sports Chicago.
Fortunately, Odunze should be able to resume ramping up when the Bears resume practice on Tuesday, May 28, according to head coach Matt Eberflus, who expressed optimism.
Following practice on Thursday, Eberflus informed reporters that Rome had begun working out there and had completed some walk-throughs. “We’re hoping that during our OTAs the following week, he’ll be starting to ramp back in there.”
While Odunze recovers to full strength, the Bears will still have veterans like DJ Moore and Keenan Allen to share reps with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. However, getting Odunze back in the mix will be critical for their offense. After collecting 92 catches for an FBS-high 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns for Washington in 2023, he might emerge as their position’s future star. Working with Williams for longer will only be beneficial.
The Bears will pause until training camp in late July after six more workouts. They will conclude offseason preparation with a required minicamp the following week (June 4-6) after concluding OTAs with three optional practices this week (May 28–29, May 31).
Bears Don’t Need to Rush Rome Odunze to Stardom
A healthy Rome Odunze is good for the Chicago Bears. He is a top-10 pick and one of the most highly-rated receiver prospects in recent NFL drafts. The Bears felt so strongly about him that they nearly traded up from the ninth pick in fear of possibly missing out.
That said, the Bears do not have to rush Odunze into becoming the NFL’s next star.
Odunze could — and probably should — play a key role for the Bears offense in 2024, but he is currently just their third-choice wide receiver in the lineup. After collecting 96 catches for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023—all career highs—Moore returns to the Bears as their top receiver. In addition, Chicago acquired Allen through trade, a six-time Pro Bowler who recently had one of his best seasons in a lengthy career with the Chargers.
Between the two of them, Williams will have an abundance of weapons on the perimeter. In addition, he has D’Andre Swift, a recently signed running back, and veteran tight end Cole Kmet, who both give another pass-catching element to the system. Although the Bears won’t have to rely on giving Odunze targets by force, he will still receive his fair amount of looks.
The Bears are (rightly) getting quite a bit of attention for their receiving additions this offseason. If Odunze can By the end of the 2024 season, they might have the NFL’s most formidable receiving trio if he plays immediately and fulfills his first-round potential. But despite all the excitement, Tyler Scott has mostly gone unnoticed, which is unfortunate.
As a rookie, Scott—a 2023 fourth-round selection—did not have a prominent place in the rotation. Although he had a few chances to show off his pace, he only finished fifth on the squad with 32 targets and only received two or fewer passing targets in 10 of his 17 games. In addition, Scott committed a few errors, like misjudging a long ball on third and nine in the team’s loss to Detroit in Week 11. or the Week 17 touchdown against Atlanta that he was unable to stop.
