The 2026 season is set up to be a big bounce back year for Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze, who struggled with a foot injury last season that hampered his play.
Following the offseason trade of veteran receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, Odunze has an opportunity to take a leap and be the top receiver for Chicago's passing attack. Looking to rebound from his injury-riddled sophomore season, Odunze said earlier in the offseason that he has adjusted to a "new normal" with his foot, but then clarified there was no deep meaning or attachment to the injury.
New offensive coordinator Press Taylor has spent this offseason and training camp identifying the strengths of Odunze and spoke about where he feels the third-year receiver has grown,
revealing the team wanting to push the ball down the field to allow him to make more plays.
"I think Rome's done a good job," Taylor said. "If he hadn't said anything about his foot being different, I don't think you would have noticed because of what you're seeing like his speed and even more the detail in his routes. He understands where he's supposed to be. You see the explosion and contested catch ability he has, and we've made it a point of emphasis to push the ball downfield on some contested go balls to feature that strength. He's made his fair share of plays on those, so that's encouraging."
If the Bears get a fully healthy version of Odunze, who takes another step in his development, they'll have two dangerous and young receivers in him and last year's second-round pick, Luther Burden III, who's currently dealing with a groin injury that is expected to sideline him for the preseason. That could give Odunze more time as the top receiver to find his rhythm in the Bears offense.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Press Taylor evaluates Bears WR Rome Odunze's growth after injury
