Odunze talks role in offense, learning to complement Allen and Moore |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - Typically, when a receiver is a top-10 selection in the NFL Draft, they are the No. 1 receiver. However, coming into Chicago, Rome Odunze was selected No. 9 overall and is coming into a room with Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen and elite receiver DJ Moore.
While most receivers may prefer to be No. 1, Odunze is embracing learning behind Allen and Moore while still finding his place in the offense. “I think it’s a challenge coming in as a rookie having vets like Keenan and DJ already in the room, having established themselves in the league for many years at this point. But, my mindset coming in is being the best, being the best in the room and I think that’s the mindset of everybody in the room and I think that’s the way it should be, you know what I mean?” Odunze said. “All of us trying to be the best in that room creates a competitive and friendly environment for all of us to thrive and we’re achieving those types of goals. We allow ourselves to be options for him out there on the field. So, I think it’s important for a wide receiver to have that mentality, to be the best in his room and collectively, as I did kind of back in my college when we all have that mindset.” Odunze played for Washington for four seasons, having 1,000-yard seasons in his last two years. Last year was his All-American year, where he recorded 1,640 receiving yards, which led the NCAA last season. He also recorded 14 total touchdowns, second in the Pac-12. For any player, but especially one with this much talent who is learning behind two veterans, training camp is a primary opportunity for him to learn to complement Allen’s and Moore’s strengths. “I think my best trait adding to that is being complementary to their traits, being able to go in there and maybe remove any weaknesses or anything that they may have within the offense to allow myself to provide those opportunities within that,” Odunze said. “So, just being able to play complementary from them, be versatile whether that is running deep routes or catching the ball on short routes or intermediate, I think, as well as blocking. Those guys get paid a lot and maybe I’ll be in the trenches a little bit more than they’d like to be. But, all those things, I’m willing to do.” Something that helps a rookie adjust to the NFL is having a fellow rookie to learn alongside. For Odunze, that person is rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Both will be participating in their first training camp shortly after signing their four-year rookie contracts with a fifth-year option. “Of course (Caleb and I are) excited, you know what I mean? It’s our first time going through this process. We finally get to play football and that’s an exciting thing,” Odunze said. “The excitement around the organization, the fan base, the atmosphere is primed and set for us to go out there and have our failures and have our successes out there and I think that’s a beautiful opportunity. So, just super excited to learn, super excited to be a part of this organization as we get rolling.” The Chicago Bears will play their first preseason game in the Hall of Fame game on Thursday, Aug. 1, against the Houston Texans (7 p.m./ABC), where Odunze is expected to make his preseason debut.
