The Chicago Bears were among the biggest winners of the 2024 offseason, which includes landing an elite wide receiver in Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Odunze and No. 1 pick quarterback Caleb Williams are part of a 2024 Bears draft class that could define the franchise for years to come. Odunze joins a loaded group of weapons, which includes veteran wideouts DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett and running back D’Andre Swift.
We had a chance to catch up with the rookie receiver about his passion for gaming with “Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile,” as well as building a connection with Williams, learning from Moore and Allen and 2024 expectations.
Odunze is a competitive athlete on the field, whether it was during his time at the University of Washington or now as he transitions to the Bears. But when it comes to winding down off the field, his competitive spirit continues through his passion for gaming.
Odunze has always been a big gamer, especially when it comes to “Call of Duty: Warzone,” which he first got into during the pandemic in 2020.
“I was on that playing an amount of hours that I’m not comfortable sharing,” Odunze told Bears Wire with a laugh.
“Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile” launched globally in March, and it allows gamers to team up with millions of other players on their mobile devices and join the free-to-play battle royale experience.
It’s a game built for players on the go, especially athletes, as an extension of “Call of Duty: Warzone.” The mobile edition features the same movement, physics, large-scale action and weapons that fans of “Call of Duty” have come to know.
Odunze discussed how “Warzone Mobile” allowed him to keep up with his gaming while on the road during the pre-draft process.
“With the Warzone mobile, it’s awesome because I’ve been having to travel so much, especially during the draft process and going from team to team,” Odunze said. “It’s hard to bring a console or a PC on those trips. It allows me to get in my Call of Duty wars on time, just having them on my phone and just being able to pop on there anytime that I want. It’s really fun. It scratches that itch and that I wanted to play Call of Duty. To be able to have it, be able to go anywhere with it, it’s great.”
For Odunze, gaming also provides an opportunity to stay in touch with family and friends, along with his new Bears teammates.
“It seems like nowadays everybody’s on Call of Duty or Madden or something like that,” Odunze said. “To be able to hop on them, the game, and be able to connect with them, it’s great because I’m well-versed in that background.”
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze poses after being selected by the Chicago Bears as the No. 8 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears entered the 2024 NFL draft with a pair of top-10 picks. While it was a foregone conclusion that they were taking Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, there was more intrigue with the No. 9 selection. Odunze was someone who had been linked to Chicago throughout the pre-draft process, but there was a question of whether he’d even be an option for the Bears at ninth overall.
But Odunze fell right into Chicago’s lap, as they landed another playmaker to an arsenal of weapons for their rookie quarterback. Odunze was in Detroit for draft night, where he got to take in the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“A dream come true moment, honestly,” Odunze said. “The best part was just having a family there, everybody supporting you, and then being able to go through those things together. It’s an awesome event to be a part of with all those people.”
In the days leading up to the draft, Williams and Odunze had been working out in Los Angeles before hopping the same flight to Detroit. It added fuel to the fire that Odunze could be the pick at No. 9 – if available – especially as the pair had already started building their chemistry. And he’s certainly pleased with the outcome.
“I definitely thought it was a possibility, especially because we had trained before, we had chopped it up, and we had a connection,” Odunze said. “I think from the first time we got to get some work together on the field. And then also he’s a very cool dude off the field, as well. So I felt like I could vibe and connect with him in that way, as well. I thought it was a possibility just like the other teams were a possibility, as well. But I’m glad it came to fruition And I’m excited about the journey ahead of us.”
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – MAY 11: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears looks on during Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 11, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Bears were among the offseason’s biggest winners, which included landing a dynamic quarterback-receiver duo in Williams and Odunze, who will get to develop alongside side each other in their young NFL careers.
Odunze had high praise for Williams, who many have hailed as a potential generational quarterback who could finally help Chicago contend for a championship. While Williams’ physical skillset is impressive, Odunze is just as impressed with Williams the person.
“I know he’s uber talented,” Odunze said. “I’ve got to see that from across the field when he was playing against us and all the highlights that you’ve seen throughout his college career. So I knew that about him, but he’s a student of the game. Throughout this process, he’s continuing to dive into the playbook and making sure that he’s being an asset to this offense and that he’s the optimized weapon back there as the quarterback, the leader of the team. So he steps into that role very, very gracefully and very humbly. And I think a lot of guys can follow that.”
Odunze said he most values accuracy in a quarterback, which he praised Williams for, and how big it is for him to create explosive plays.
“I think the accuracy is something that is always pivotal within the quarterback,” Odunze said. “Because a quarterback that can put it on the money every single time, regardless of where they’re at on the field, is something that I think is very valuable and allows the receiver to do his job and compete within the route, knowing that if he wins the route, he’s going to get the ball and he’s going to be able to create an explosive play for the team. And something that Caleb definitely has. So definitely looking forward to those moments.”
One of the things that’s gone viral among Bears fans is the infamous bear claw pose, which was first sported by Williams and Odunze together after their selections on draft night. Odunze said it was a spur of the moment thing by Williams that was inspired by the hand signals at various colleges. Odunze said to expect to see more of the bear claw this fall.
“We could probably expect a good bit every touchdown or so or when something special happens,” Odunze teased.
Odunze was the third receiver selected in the 2024 NFL draft – behind Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and New York’s Malik Nabers – but he might have landed in the best situation. He’ll get to learn from two of the league’s best in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.
Before Odunze was drafted by Chicago at ninth overall, he got the opportunity to work out with Williams, Moore and Allen in Los Angeles. Now, he’ll get the chance to pick their brains and develop alongside two veteran playmakers.
“I think that’s the best way to grow is to be able to be around people who have done for a long time as they have done and continue to have tremendous success on the field,” Odunze said. “So it’s awesome. They’re great dudes on and off the field, honestly. Great personalities, cracking jokes, having fun, as well as very and hard working on the field. Each and every time we step on the field, striving to improve and make sure they’re leveled up their game. To be able to learn from them, to have me under their wing, I think is a tremendous honor for myself, two of the best receivers in the league.”
Chicago has arguably their best wide receiver room in franchise history with Moore, Allen and Odunze. All three are coming off 1,000-yard seasons with their respective teams last season. It’ll give opposing defenses plenty of fits and give Williams plenty of opportunities as a rookie to make those defenses pay.
During a recent interview, Moore said he believes it’ll be a race to 1,000 receiving yards between him, Allen and Odunze. So who does Odunze think wins the race?
“Oh, man, I couldn’t call it,” he said. “I couldn’t call it. Maybe we could revisit the question after a couple of games, see where everybody’s trending. But yeah, no, I agree. A race to 1,000 yards. I mean, hopefully we can be up there with that Cardinals squad. I think that did it years back with all of us having 1,000 at the end of it. But who gets there first? I don’t know who to say.”
Chicago overhauled its offense in a huge way over the past couple of seasons, which includes the additions of playmakers Moore, Allen, D’Andre Swift and Odunze along with a potential star quarterback in Williams.
Naturally, expectations are going to be high for this group heading into the 2024 season with all of the new additions. But just how explosive can this offense be in Year 1 under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron?
“I think the sky’s the limit, honestly,” Odunze said. “I think we have so many weapons and with (guys like Moore, Allen, Swift, Cole Kmet), it creates so many different avenues to have success within an offense. I tell people it’s reminiscent of what I had in college with so many different weapons and a wide receiver trio and a great quarterback with a tremendous O-line. It’s hard to say what the limit for us is at this point. I think we got to jell, we got to build that chemistry. We got to have that belief in one another and go out there and execute. But I think when all the cylinders are fired, it’ll be pretty special.”
When looking at the arsenal of weapons that will be at Williams’ disposal this season, it starts with a receiver trio featuring Moore, Allen and Odunze, who are considered by many analysts to be among the best groups in the NFL. But where does Odunze believe this receiver trio ranks among the rest of the league?
“I mean, you have two vets in Keenan and DJ who have been doing it for a long time. I think that receiver duo in itself rivals any in the league, honestly,” Odunze said. “But for me, I’ve been a step on the NFL field, so who am I to say that we’re the best wide receiver core in the league? Hopefully, I can prove that that would be our goal through my play and through their play, which they all though continue to do what they’ve been doing their entire careers. But I think it’s too early for myself to say at the moment, but I think we’re definitely set up for success.”
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – MAY 10: Rome Odunze #15 of the Chicago Bears looks on during Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 10, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
When looking ahead to his rookie season, Odunze mentioned his biggest individual goal is to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (which interestingly enough he’s competing with his new BFF Williams). But Odunze is thinking beyond just individual accolades.
“I think striving towards going and playing games in February, making the playoffs and making strides in that aspect of things, as well as, of course, winning more games than losing games is the most important thing, I think, for this team and making sure we’re making a run to that Super Bowl,” Odunze said. “So I think with the team-oriented things will come the individual success.”
As Odunze makes the transition to the NFL, he’ll get to battle some of the league’s best cornerbacks. He said that he’s excited to go against guys like Trent McDuffie and Kyu Blu Kelly at the NFL level.
But Odunze will also see a familiar face in former Washington Huskies teammate – and Bears cornerback – Kyler Gordon. In fact, Odunze will face a talented group of cornerbacks daily in practice, including All-Pro Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Gordon, which Odunze believes will make everyone better.
“I think it’s pivotal,” Odunze said. “I believe that iron sharpens iron. So to be able to go against them, as they’re some of the best corners in the league, it’s going to be a challenge for myself and something that I’m going to have to work on my game to have continued success. And hopefully, some of the things that I do are different for them and allow them to pick up on different things and improve their game as well. I think it’s really just iron sharpens iron with those matchups.”
Gear up for some thrilling training camp battles this summer.
Nov 20, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) returns a kick during the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Chargers 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Odunze has said in past interviews that he grew up a fan of Bears legend Devin Hester, who will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. Hester is regarded as the greatest return specialist in NFL history, and he’s the first pure returner who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
So it feels like a full-circle moment for Odunze, who is a talented punt returner in his own right. While Odunze hasn’t had an opportunity to speak to Hester yet – perhaps that’ll happen at the Hall of Fame – he’d love to pick his brain about his mindset when the ball was in his hand.
“I think for me, football is a very skill-oriented game, and in the different respects, the different positions, you have to have the technique and the skillset to have success in any single position,” Odunze said. “But for him, it was just like backyard football. You know what I mean? Like, get the ball in his hands, then he makes something happen. I think there’s a few football players who are like that. I would just pick his brain on that and his mindset whenever he touched the ball.”
The Bears are expected to utilize Odunze in many ways on offense, but there’s also the chance that he gets opportunities to make things happen on special teams as a punt returner. If that’s the case, there’s no one better to reach out to than Hester.
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – MAY 11: Rome Odunze #15 of the Chicago Bears looks on during Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 11, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Bears are one of several teams that haven’t been featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” but it feels like this could finally be the year Chicago lands the spotlight.
While HBO announced a new offseason-version of “Hard Knocks” with the New York Giants, the classic summer training camp version hasn’t been announced yet. The Bears are one of five teams – along with the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints – who can be forced into doing the show.
And there’s no denying Chicago is the most attractive option between the five with the additions of Williams and Odunze, among others, and the fact that they’re a young, ascending team.
Odunze doesn’t know the ropes when it comes to “Hard Knocks,” but he admitted that, if it were up to him, he’d prefer not to have “Hard Knocks” as a distraction during his rookie season.
“I think for me, I’d definitely be more comfortable not having the Hard Knocks in the building just because we’re all learning the new offense as rookies,” Odunze said. “Caleb has a lot on his plate already, so learning the offense and growing within the facility and setting a foundation for ourselves. So it would be something that, if it happened, we’d take it and we would go forward with it and do it the best that we could. But I think it might be a little bit of a distraction for what we’re trying to accomplish.”
