Why Rome Odunze’s Foot Update Has Massive Implications For The Bears Offense

There were mixed feelings when the Chicago Bears traded D.J. Moore this offseason. It made sense, on the one hand, because of his massive contract and the team’s salary cap problems. On the other hand, they were unloading a proven weapon without certainty that they could replace him. Hopes were high for Luther Burden after his excellent rookie campaign. The bigger question mark was Rome Odunze. At one point, the former 1st round pick looked poised for a Pro Bowl season last year. Then a foot injury derailed everything.

It was an issue that altered the original structure of his foot. Some feared that he might not be able to run like he used to. It didn’t help that Odunze admitted months ago that this was his “new normal.” Most took that as an admission that he might be playing with pain to varying degrees moving forward. People wondered how much he could do in such a situation. Odunze had another opportunity to speak with the media on Wednesday, during which he admitted that his choice of words at the time was poor.

He clarified what he actually meant.

“Now I just set up a fast ball for y’all on that one. That one kind of just went with the wind. Yeah, that’s…I really didn’t articulate it well. Honestly, that’s not really what I meant. I just kind of meant that I had an injury, you know, that’s it. That’s football. Like my foot feels great. My foot feels amazing. I, through the training staff here, the training staff I work with in the offseason, all the work that I put in to get it right.

Honestly, it’s not even really something I think about anymore, which I think is the best thing you can have, you know, after an injury. So, yeah. I know that ‘new normal’ has a bunch of connotations of chronic and severe things, like it’s never going to be the same. It’s not like that at all. I’m completely fine.”

If Rome Odunze isn’t lying, this is a massive deal.

People quickly forget how well the wide receiver was playing last season prior to the foot injury. Through the first seven games of 2025, Odunze had 473 yards and five touchdowns. If he’d maintained that pace through the entire season, he would’ve finished with 1,148 yards and 12 touchdowns. Sadly, the Cincinnati game was a brutal one for the Bears, injury-wise. Not only did Odunze break his foot, but Dayo Odeyingbo also tore his Achilles. While the wide receiver did return and made some big plays down the stretch, he never quite looked the same.

He admitted later that the injury never had time to heal, and he was playing through pain. Once further knowledge came out about the structural problems, people feared he might lose what made him so explosive. Based on the receiver’s comments, as well as recent practice footage, that isn’t a problem. He looks healthy. If it stays that way, the expectations for the Bears’ passing game just went up another notch. Expectations were already high for Burden and Colston Loveland going into their second seasons. A healthy Odunze gives them three dangerous weapons.

The timing couldn’t be better.

This is a very important season for Rome Odunze. Not only is he trying to help the Bears win a championship, but he’s also getting to that time where contract discussions begin. It is the third year of his rookie contract. The Bears already have plans to extend Caleb Williams. The same can’t be said for the receiver. He still has some proving to do. He must prove he can stay healthy and prove he can produce consistently across a full season. Accomplishing both will see a lucrative contract waiting for him on the other side.

Keep in mind that only one wide receiver drafted by the Bears since the turn of the millennium managed to land a second contract from the team. That was Earl Bennett in 2011. Nobody else did so. Not Marty Booker, not Johnny Knox, not Alshon Jeffery, and not Anthony Miller. Odunze doesn’t want to join that unfortunate list. This season has to be the one for him to break through. No more stop-start stuff.