Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has yet to record a reception in an NFL game, but the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft is already on the cusp of making history.
The former Washington Huskies star is looking to break the league’s rookie yards record, set last year by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Nacua, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, finished his first pro season in impressive fashion with 105 catches and 1,486 yards receiving, and Odunze seems confident his rookie season will be just as good or better.
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Chicago Bears’ Rome Odunze speaks to the media during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall on May 10, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
“I think it’s important for all athletes to set goals and strive to be the best.” Odunze told reporters: this week.
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“My situation is unique. I went to school with Puka Nacua, so I followed him and watched him do well. 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.”
Chicago Bears’ Rome Odunze attends rookie minicamp at Halas Hall on May 10, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
The Bears wide receiver corps also includes six-time Pro Bowl selection Keenan Allen and veteran DJ Moore, so Odunze will likely have to compete with those players for catches from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Rome Odunze of the Washington Huskies warms up before the CFP National Championship Game against the Michigan Wolverines at NRG Stadium on Jan. 8, 2024 in Houston. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
But Odunze’s goals don’t end with the rookie record, as he’s also gunning for the Bears’ single-season receptions record.
“I think Brandon Marshall holds the single-season record here, right?” Odunze said. Marshall had 118 receptions for 1,508 yards during his All-Pro season in 2012. Odunze would also like to one day break into the Bears’ career receiving yards record.
Bears legend Johnny Morris’ 5,059 career receiving yards are the most by any player in a Bears uniform.
“Obviously, I think it’s important to chase those records. Like I said in Washington, I want to leave the Bears organization in a better state than when I came in,” he said. “And if I have my name on some of those records, I think that’s just one aspect of doing that.”
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Odunze’s 1,640 yards receiving was the most in college football for the class of 2023. He also recorded 13 touchdown receptions.
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