Will Rome Odunze break the Bears’ rookie reception record for wideouts?

We may be entering a new era of offensive football in Chicago, so how much of an impact will Rome Odunze make in year one?

We still need to see them come together on the field, but on paper, the Chicago Bears have their most talented trio of wide receivers in team history. I posed this question to our team.

Will Rome Odunze break Darnell Mooney’s team rookie record for most receptions (61) by a wide receiver?

And here’s what we had to say.

Josh Sunderbruch: I think I figured out that there might be as many as 90 or 100 targets to send his way if this offense follows trends, so that would require a 70% or higher catch rate. Those are DJ Moore or Keenan Allen numbers. So, yeah. I think he might just barely touch it if Allen misses some time.

Sam Householder: Honestly, I am not sure I could’ve told you Mooney held this record. Either way, I think it’s safe. There’s no pressure on Odunze to be the man as a rookie, so I think he might be brought along slowly, especially if you look at what rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba did in Seattle last year (63 receptions) as a No. 3 with less competition than Rome will have on Chicago’s offense.

Aaron Leming: No. As much as I like Odunze and loved the pick, there are many mouths to feed on this offense for 2024. Wait… Did I really just say the Bears’ offense might have too many weapons? Yeah, I did. This offense is loaded at the skill positions. DJ Moore should continue to be the team’s WR1. Keenan Allen, assuming he stays healthy, is also a good bet to go over 1,000 yards again. Where does that leave Odunze, especially with Kmet and Everett in the mix at tight end? Odunze should contribute right away, and maybe Smith-Njigba’s rookie season (63/628/4) could be a landmark, but that was with DK Metcalf missing some time and a non-rookie behind center. I’ll say closer to 50-55 receptions for Odunze in Year 1. His role could expand quite a bit in 2025 if Allen is truly a one-year rental.

ECD: I do not see Rome Odunze breaking that record. And that, for the first time, is a good thing. They have such a diverse set of veteran weapons between Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, and D’Andre Swift. There’s no need to put pressure on Rome Odunze to be a star in his rookie season in comparison to years past.

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: I like the Smith-Njigba camp from a usage standpoint, as he was the rookie behind two quality wide receivers in Seattle, but this Bears squad has more viable pass catchers. Rome will get his, but offensive coordinator Shane Waldron will make sure his passing attack forces defenses to cover everyone, so I think Odunze falls short.

Mason West: No. And this isn’t a knock on Rome. This is about mouths to feed. He will be third in the pecking order at best and even if Allen misses games, there is still Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, D’Andre Swift — it’s like Batman’s utility belt!

Rome CAN break it, but that means Allen misses a lot of time, or Williams/Odunze creates some crazy chemistry.

Taylor Doll: I think Rome Odunze is going to be a massive part of this offense. It will be interesting to see how they spread the ball between him, Moore, Allen, Kmet, and Everett while still being a team that can run the ball. However, I do think the connections he and Caleb already have will factor into an over for the 61 receptions.

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