Ben Johnson sounds off on Bears WR Rome Odunze's drop issues
Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson discussed getting back to basic fundamentals with WR Rome Odunze and eliminating drops next year.
Now that the Chicago Bears have moved on from veteran wide receiver DJ Moore, a lot will fall on the shoulders of third-year pro Rome Odunze as the team's leading pass catcher, which calls for some improvement after his second season. As a rookie season, Odunze exploded onto the scene as the former No. 9 overall pick in 2024, but he struggled through injuries and drops last year.
Last week at the NFL owners meeting, head coach Ben Johnson told reporters that he plans to work with Odunze on the drops that plagued him last season, a move that'll help solidify the young receiver moving forward. One of the favorite targets for quarterback Caleb Williams, Odunze's sophomore season saw him total 44 receptions, 661 yards, and six touchdowns in just 12 games. Johnson said getting back to the fundamentals will be key for the entire offense this offseason.
"That’s something we’ll talk to (Odunze) about,” Johnson said via CHGO . “I don’t think that was a thing for him coming out. I don’t want to speak that into existence.
That’s something as an entire offense we’re going to emphasize here in the springtime: getting back to our fundamentals, back to the basics, as simple as that sounds. Catching the football is part of it. Chicago has plenty of options of high-powered weapons for their offense, but the team still needs an unquestioned No.