Bears WR Rome Odunze was given an enticing offseason offer that could help him in a big way going into his second NFL season
The Chicago Bears found themselves a star in the making during the 2024 season in rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze.Playing as the #3 wide receiver in the offense that saw a lot of turmoil while working behind two veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, Odunze still managed to post 700+ yards and three touchdowns […]
The Chicago Bears found themselves a star in the making during the 2024 season in rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Playing as the #3 wide receiver in the offense that saw a lot of turmoil while working behind two veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, Odunze still managed to post 700+ yards and three touchdowns during his rookie campaign.
Based on his connection with quarterback Caleb Williams and a new offense coming to down with new head coach Ben Johnson, Odunze's game is only going to get better from here on out.
Odunze was still one of the team's most clutch players in late game situations and showed off his size and 50/50 ability in multiple occasions. With some more growth and development this offseason, Odunze will be primed for a big year in 2025.
And a former big-bodied Bears' wideout is willing to help with that. While speaking with CHGO last week on Radio Row, former Bears' wide receiver Brandon Marshall offered to train with Odunze and give the young star some pointers this offseason.
"Great kid, phenomenal competitor, and to be honest, come work with me," Marshall said. "I don't need anything. But I'm saying, you're a big receiver and there are a lot of athletes out there that don't take advantage of the fraternity."
Marshall spent two seasons of his 13 year career with the Chicago Bears and knows what's like to play with another veteran at the position. In those two seasons, Marshall played alongside Alshon Jeffery and the two each recorded 1,000+ yards in 2013.
Marshall made a killing using his 6'5, 230+ frame to his advantage winning jump balls and coming down with contested catches. At 6'3, 215 pounds, Odunze has that kind of ability too if he can add some more weight and work with a guy like Marshall.
Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft and his rookie season, Odunze trained with another former NFL wide receiver in TJ Houshmandzadeh, who praised Odunze's multi-dimensional game.
“That’s the thing that stood out to me, was make a hard catch look really easy and that right there is difficult to do. And he makes that look easy," Houshmandzadeh said back in May. "He’s a big dude and he can run… There’s really nothing he can’t do.”
Being able to work with these former wide receivers who performed at a high level in the league is an incredible resource for a young player. We'll see if Odunze takes Marshall up on his offer and what kind of changes it leads to in his game in 2025.
Chicago Bears could potentially open the 2025 season with the toughest challenge out of any team in the entire league
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