In the world of the NFL, summer is a season of perpetual optimism. Thanks to rookie draft picks, free agent signings and a general notion of league parity, all 32 teams go into the summer believing this will be their year.
Optimism may be at its highest in the Windy City, where there is serious talk of a possible playoff berth after a 7-10 season. Chicago BearsGeneral manager Ryan Pauls made a number of key additions this spring, particularly in the draft, taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick and then potentially game-changing wide receiver Rome Odunze a few spots later.
And at the Bears’ mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, the rookie receiver said he has some lofty goals heading into his first NFL season, namely chasing the records set by his former college teammate.
“I think it’s important for every player to set goals and strive to be the best,” Odunze said. said Wednesday“My situation is unique. I went to school with Puka Nacua, so I’ve followed him and seen what he’s done, so I’m definitely going after that. I think his record is like 1.500, a rookie season record. I’m definitely going after that.”
Nacua is probably BYUHe spent his final two college seasons there before beginning his collegiate career at Washington.
There he was teammates with Odunze.
As a newcomer Los Angeles Rams Nacua set numerous records, including most receiving yards by a rookie (1,486, breaking the record set by Bill Grohman in a 14-game season in 1960) and most receptions by a rookie (105, breaking the record of 104 set by Jaylen Waddle in 2021).
As if those goals weren’t lofty enough, Odunze has some franchise records in mind.
“I think Brandon Marshall holds the single-season record here,” the rookie receiver added.
Brandon Marshall holds Chicago’s single-season receiving yards record with 1,508, another record the rookie will be gunning for, along with Johnny Morris’ career receiving yards record of 5,059.
“Obviously, I think it’s important to chase those records. Like I said in Washington, I hope I leave the Bears organization in a better place than when I came in,” he said. “And even if I have my name on some of those records, I think that’s just one aspect of achieving that goal.”
The summer of optimism.
