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Bears | Rome Odunze Has Worked At All Three Receiver Spots Mon Jun 17, 05:01 PM
A minor hamstring injury sidelined Rome Odunze for several weeks in May but did not slow down his development while learning from veteran wide receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. The Bears have lined up the No. 9 pick at all three receiver spots (X, Z, slot) and tapped into his ability to run a varied route tree, which coaches believe will create mismatches that favor the offense.
Footballguys view: According to ESPN.com's Courtney Cronin, coaches have even experimented with Odunze on punt return, which he did sparingly at Washington (three returns for 87 yards and one TD). The way Odunze has begun to learn the Chicago offense has impressed coaches, including his ability to take a specific play onto the field, recite the playcall and run it on his own. |
The Bears held very little back from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams as he began learning the offense, and his ability to "chunk information, put it into buckets and operate" impressed coach Matt Eberflus throughout the spring.
Footballguys view: According to ESPN.com's Courtney Cronin, coaches encouraged Williams to experiment with different throws in OTAs and minicamp to see what windows he could hit while making sure his footwork timed up with when he released the ball. The 22-year-old quarterback naturally experienced ups and downs in practices while going against an experienced defense that used movement and disguises to challenge the rookie, but every now and again Williams got the better of his teammates. The next step will be continued improvement through training camp. |
Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze said he would like to break Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua's rookie record of 1,486 yards in a season, according to The Chicago Sun-Times' Jason Lieser.
Footballguys view: We like for receivers to have lofty goals and opinions of their abilities, but Odunze will have trouble doing that with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen also running routes in the Chicago offense. Odunze is the cheapest of the three in fantasy drafts by 15-20 picks, so he might be the best investment in redraft leagues, banking on the same rookie-rookie chemistry that got Tank Dell out of the gate hot in Houston last year. |
Free-agent WR DeAndre Carter (Raiders) signed an undisclosed deal with the Chicago Bears, according to sources Thursday, June 13.
Link to storyFree-agent TE Marcedes Lewis (Bears) signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears Monday, June 10. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent TE Marcedes Lewis (Bears) intends to re-sign with the Chicago Bears following a meeting Monday, June 10, according to sources.
Link to storyChicago Bears WR Tyler Scott (undisclosed), OG Nate Davis (undisclosed) and OT Braxton Jones (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Thursday, June 6.
Link to storyChicago Bears TE Cole Kmet (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Thursday, June 6.
Link to storyChicago Bears CB Kyler Gordon (back) did not participate in practice Thursday, June 6, because of back soreness, but head coach Matt Eberflus said the injury is not considered serious.
Link to storyChicago Bears OT Braxton Jones (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Wednesday, June 5. Head coach Matt Eberflus said Kmet was held out as a precaution.
Link to storyChicago Bears TE Cole Kmet (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Wednesday, June 5.
Footballguys view: Head coach Matt Eberflus said Kmet was held out as a precaution. The situation is undisclosed, so we're left to wonder here. Until we get more information, we'll just put a pin in this news item. Stay tuned. |
Chicago Bears RB D'Andre Swift is listed as the No. 1 running back on the team's depth chart and is likely to see a great deal of playing time in third-down and red zone situations, as well as on first and second downs, according to head coach Matt Eberflus.
Footballguys view: We love the top three backs on the Bears' roster. Swift is talented, and he can be reliable on all three downs. However, Roschon Johnson can make plays as a runner and receiver too. Oh yeah, Khalil Herbert has the ability to start for other teams but is second or third in the pecking order with the Bears. We see Swift as an RB2/flex play for Fantasy GMs this year in what will be a split backfield...even though Swift will be the lead back. |
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams shined during organized team activities on Friday, May 31. Williams completed 13-of-15 passes and 'threw darts all over the field' and a touchdown pass to DJ Moore.
Footballguys view: This showing is on the heels of the rookie struggling during the previous open OTAs practice. It's good to see Williams bounce back after a rough start. His skill is off the charts, and if the Bears can develop him properly Williams could be a superstar. |
Chicago Bears OG Teven Jenkins (undisclosed) did not participate in team drills during the voluntary workout Friday, May 31.
Link to storyChicago Bears OG Nate Davis (undisclosed), DE DeMarcus Walker (undisclosed) and LB T.J. Edwards (undisclosed) attended the voluntary workout Friday, May 31, but did not participate in drills.
Link to storyChicago Bears WR Rome Odunze (hamstring) took part in practice on Thursday, May 30, after missing most of the first week of organized team activities with a hamstring injury.
Link to storyChicago Bears QB Caleb Williams had a rough showing at the team's first open session of organized team activities on Thursday, May 23. Williams completed just three passes during 7-on-7 drills and had multiple near interceptions.
Footballguys view: Williams is a rookie, and he's going to have some rough days - especially early on. This is not a great report when most articles about rookie first-round quarterbacks have much more glowing reviews. However, it's incredibly early so this type of report should not be a surprise. |
Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze (hamstring) did not participate in the voluntary workout Thursday, May 23, because of a hamstring injury he suffered during the rookie minicamp.
Footballguys view: The Bears are going to be safe with their first-round receiver. It's not the end of the world that he's missing practice, but it still would be better if he was out there catching passes from Caleb Williams. We'll see if Odunze can get on the field for mandatory minicamp (at the latest) in a couple of weeks. |
Chicago Bears fifth-round draft choice DE Austin Booker signed a four-year contract with the Bears Thursday, May 16. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyKevin Fishbain, from the Athletic, reports Chicago Bears running backs coach Chad Morton said he's "excited" about using D'Andre Swift as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Footballguys view: We'll see how much Bears' OC Shane Waldron plans to throw Swift the ball. With rookie QB Caleb Williams under center, short passes can work as long handoffs as the team sets up their young passer for success. Swift will compete with Khalil Herbert for pass-catching duties in the backfield. He'll also compete with Herbert and Roschon Johnson for carries in 2024. Let's see how this shakes out in training camp. |
Chicago Bears third-round draft choice OT Kiran Amegadjie signed a four-year contract with the Bears Tuesday, May 14, worth $5.914 million.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Freddie Swain (Dolphins) and TE Tommy Sweeney (Giants) signed with the Chicago Bears Monday, May 13. The team also signed undrafted free-agent WR John Jackson (Nevada), CB Leon Jones (Arkansas State), DT Dashaun Mallory (Arizona State) and LB Paul Moala (Georgia Tech). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Link to storyChicago Bears WR Rome Odunze (hamstring) was absent from practice due to hamstring tightness Saturday, May 11.
Footballguys view: Hamstring tightness is not a big deal, and the team is wisely being cautious with their first-round pick. Their other first-round pick, QB Caleb Williams, should be building a strong chemistry with Odunze later this summer. |
Chicago Bears P Tory Taylor signed his rookie contract on Saturday, May 11. The financial terms of the four-year deal were not disclosed.
Link to storyChicago Bears WR Rome Odunze (hamstring) is sitting out at rookie minicamp on Saturday, May 11, due to hamstring tightness.
Footballguys view: You never want to see hamstring and your wide receiver's name in the same sentence, but if Odunze can make it through OTA's and camp without any further incidents, we won't worry about this. |
Chicago Bears OT Kiran Amegadjie (quadriceps) is expected to miss some offseason workouts because of a quadriceps injury, according to head coach Matt Eberflus.
Link to storyChicago Bears QB Caleb Williams was officially named the starter by head coach Matt Eberflus on Friday, May 10.
Footballguys view: Zero surprise here. Williams is a generational talent, and it's on the Bears' staff to get the most out of him. There are plenty of weapons around him, and if Williams finished 2024 as a QB1 for Fantasy GMs we wouldn't be surprised. Right now, most are drafting him as a QB2 with upside. |
Undrafted free-agent OT Theo Benedet (British Columbia), LB Carl Jones (UCLA), DT Keith Randolph (Illinois) and CB Reddy Steward (Troy) signed with the Chicago Bears Thursday, May 9. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyThe Chicago Bears agreed to terms with three more undrafted free agents Thursday, May 9, including TE Brenden Bates (Kentucky), DE Jamree Kroman (James Madison) and WR Peter LeBlanc (Louisiana-Lafayette).
Link to storyChicago Bears P Trenton Gill was waived Wednesday, May 1.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR RJ Mobley (Winston Salem State) has received an invite to the Chicago Bears' rookie minicamp.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent RB TD Ayo-Durojaiye (Villanova) and WR OJ Hilaire (Bowling Green) agreed to undisclosed contracts with the Chicago Bears on Sunday, April 28.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent RB/KR Ian Wheeler (Howard) agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears Saturday, April 27, according to Howard University's sports department.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent QB Austin Reed (Western Kentucky) agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears on Saturday, April 27, per source.
Link to storyWashington WR Rome Odunze was selected by the Chicago Bears with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Link to storySouthern California QB Caleb Williams was selected by the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Link to storyChicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham signed an undisclosed extension Wednesday, April 24.
Link to storyKansas State TE Ben Sinnott recently had an official visit with the Chicago Bears.
Link to storyTexas Tech S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is scheduled to have an official visit with the Chicago Bears Tuesday, April 16, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Link to storyFlorida State DE Jared Verse is scheduled to have a 30 visit with the Chicago Bears prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, according to a source.
Link to storyChicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles could look to move the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to an NFC area scout. 'I'd be shocked if they make that pick at nine,' the scout said. 'Poles loves to move around and build through the draft.'
Link to storySouthwest Missouri State WR Ryan Flournoy had an official meeting with the Chicago Bears last week.
Link to storyUCLA DT Laiatu Latu had an official visit with the Chicago Bears Monday, April 8, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Link to storyAlabama OT JC Latham is scheduled to have an official meeting with the Chicago Bears Tuesday, April 9, and Wednesday, April 10.
Link to storyTexas WR Xavier Worthy is visiting the Chicago Bears on a top-30 visit, according to sources Monday, April 8.
Footballguys view: Worthy posted a record-breaking 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He'll be amont the top receivers selected in this month's draft. |
Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is visiting the Chicago Bears Monday, April 8.
Footballguys view: Assuming the Bears select QB Caleb Williams with the first pick overall, it's hard to imagine Harrison, widely considered the top wideout in this year's class, lasting until the team's second pick in the first round (the ninth overall). Nonetheless, peforming due dilegence makes sense. |
University of Alabama DE/LB Dallas Turner visited with the Chicago Bears on Thursday, April 4.
Link to storyTulane University WR Jha'Quan Jackson recently visited with the Chicago Bears, according to a source.
Link to storySouthern California QB Caleb Williams had his official visit with the Chicago Bears Wednesday, April 3, according to sources.
Link to storyWashington WR Rome Odunze is scheduled to have an official visit with the Chicago Bears Thursday, April 4, according to a source.
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