Rome Odunze viewed as WR1 of the 2024 class, more love for Braxton Jones, and other takeaways from the Bears' assistant coaches
On Thursday, we finally got to hear from some of the new assistants on the Chicago Bears coaching staff under head coach Ben Johnson with the offseason program continuing to roll on over the next few days.The new staff has finally gotten the chance to see the majority of the returning players in person and […]
On Thursday, we finally got to hear from some of the new assistants on the Chicago Bears coaching staff under head coach Ben Johnson with the offseason program continuing to roll on over the next few days.
The new staff has finally gotten the chance to see the majority of the returning players in person and were willing to share some thoughts on the players they will be inheriting for the 2025 season.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways and notable statements we heard from the new staff members.
Antwaan Randle-El had a high draft ranking on Rome Odunze
By now, we all know how high the Bears were on wide receiver Rome Odunze after selecting him ninth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, and nearly even trading up to make sure they landed him. The Bears' front office viewed him as one of the top overall players in the entire draft and had a high ranking on him going into it.
Turns out the Bears weren't the only ones who felt that way.
"[Odunze] was one of my top guys the previous year," wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El explained. "Everybody had [Marvin Harrison Jr.] first and then [Malik] Nabers who's in New York. But I had Rome first. It didn't work out in Detroit but I'm glad that he's here because here we go."
Randle-El followed Ben Johnson from the Lions to Chicago and seems to be excited to get started working with Odunze and DJ Moore, along with the rest of the players at the position.
Even more high praise for Braxton Jones
One of the biggest questions going into the draft is whether or not the Bears add a left tackle to the roster, a question that stemmed from Ryan Poles' comments at the NFL Combine where he expressed interest in bringing competition to the starting position.
Over the last three seasons, Braxton Jones has held down the starting job at left tackle but he's entering the final year of his current deal and is recovering from major injury. Even still, the front office and coaching staff has been pleased with what they've seen from Jones and still believe in his ability as a starter for this team.
"He's got unbelievable character. I see the work ethic, I've watched him rehab since I've been here and from the morning to the afternoon he is working and making strong improvements," offensive line coach Dan Roushar said. "One of the greatest compliments I can give a player is being an overachiever. I don't mean that disrespectfully, the Hall of Fame is full of em. And that's how I view this guy…"
“Braxton has been in that role for the last couple years and the injury was significant. If he were healthy today, he would be our left tackle and we would have confidence in him doing the job. That’s going to be a little bit of a process for his recovery but if nothing changed, I would see Braxton being our left tackle at the moment.”
Another film over measurables argument for Will Campbell
Speaking of adding competition to the left tackle spot in the draft, the top prospect at the position is LSU's Will Campbell, although he's had an up and down process.
Campbell, production-wise, is easily the top pass protector at the position in the class but teams have shown concerns over his arm length and translating to the NFL level because of that possible limitation. Ben Johnson, at the league meetings, downplayed those concerns and he's not the only staff member who feels that way.
“Here's what I think,” Roushar added. “I watched a lot, I'm sure we are referencing a guy like Will Campbell. So the measurables are the measurable, but when the film goes on, you don't see short arms. You see a very accomplished left tackle that has exceptional balance, is exceptional hand placement. He knows how to use the tools that he's been given, and he has done it at a high level from early in his career to today. So, as a coach, you're watching that, and all you can do is evaluate the play, and he gets high marks from us."
Even though the Bears feel that way and have high marks on the top OL prospect doesn't mean they'll be the team to draft him. Nine other teams would have to pass on him first, which seems more and more unlikely as we get closer to Draft Day.
Newly extended Kyler Gordon playing in new positions?
One of the newly paid defenders in Chicago was slot cornerback Kyler Gordon. On Thursday, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen again praised Gordon's impact on defense and the fit he will bring to the new scheme.
The other thing Allen added was the possibility of moving Gordon all around the defense and utilizing his skillset as a do-it-all defensive back.
"He's played more outside corner, so that would be the comfort level, but some of the things I've seen him do and the way he fits in the run game tells me that he could be a fit at safety also," Allen said when asked about other positions Gordon could play. "We've had guys that have had the flexibility to play a lot of different positions. I think that's important in today's football… that's something that I think he can do."
Moving Gordon around opens up a whole bag of personnel opportunities for Allen to explore as he continues ironing out what the scheme will look like in 2025.
Duvernay, not "Devin"
One of the returning coaches on the staff is special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who will also see a lot of his special team standouts back in the fold in 2025. One new addition, who will have a big role in 2025, is Devin Duvernay.
The former All-Pro return man will be a legitimate weapon on special teams for the Bears and the staff is hoping to see an impact similar to what a Hall of Fame player sharing the same first name accomplished in Chicago.
“We gonna call him Duvernay until he makes some plays. Then we’ll refer to him as Devin," Hightower said. "We got a Devin around here that's THE Devin.”
Duvernay might not reach Devin Hester levels in 2025, but with the kickoff rules changing again this upcoming season to incentivize more returns, Duvernay will have ample opportunities to make impact plays for the Bears.
