The Chicago Bears have high expectations for Rome Odunze this season. Understandably so. The former 9th overall pick showed serious flashes last season. While he may not have cracked 1,000 yards like many hoped, he was still productive despite obvious coaching issues. The Bears seem to have addressed the latter problem. Ben Johnson brings a far more proven system with him from Detroit, and word is he's already a big fan of Odunze. With Keenan Allen gone, it is a safe assumption that a larger portion of the target share will go his way.
However, Odunze will have to earn it like everybody else. Sources reached out to SM with updates about what's happening at Halas Hall. It sounds like the receiver looks much improved across the board from his rookie season. In fact, some have described his playing style, ability, and confidence as resembling Brandon Marshall's back in the early 2010s. Odunze has the same mix of imposing size, strength, and deceptive route-running skills that make him almost impossible to cover.
Rome Odunze has one big advantage over Marshall.
He doesn't carry the same baggage. As brilliant as the former Pro Bowler was, his fatal flaw was his emotional state, which was in constant flux. That came from his bipolar disorder, which Marshall battled throughout his entire career. When he was focused, he was one of the best receivers in football. Between 2012 and 2013, he was a superstar. Unfortunately, everything fell apart in 2014 as the team struggled. Rome Odunze has no such problem. His mental state is consistent and focused. All he needs is a good offense to find him openings and a quarterback to deliver the football. Both appear in place now. We all saw what Marshall could be to this offense. Odunze has every tool to do the same—perhaps more.
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