The Chicago Bears' receiving corps is entering a new era, and Rome Odunze is ready to step into the spotlight. Following the team's trade of veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, Odunze is poised to take on expanded responsibilities as the Bears' top target heading into his third NFL season.
Odunze is now Caleb Williams' new WR1, a role that comes with both opportunity and pressure as Chicago looks to build around its young core of offensive weapons.
The DJ Moore Trade Opens the Door for Rome Odunze
The emergence of tight end Colston Loveland along with wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III led Moore to a career low in catches (50) and receiving yards (682). The trade became official at the start of the new league year in March 2026, with the Bills sending their 2026 second-round pick to the Bears (No. 60) while also receiving a fifth-round selection along with Moore.
The trade saves the Bears $16.5 million against the cap with $12 million in dead money, providing valuable financial flexibility for general manager Ryan Poles to address other roster needs. Moore had been bypassed by Rome Odunze as WR1 and was poised to lose even more targets to Luther Burden III, making the move a logical step for Chicago's future.
Rome Odunze's Journey to Becoming the Bears' Top Receiver
The 2024 first-round pick has shown flashes of brilliance despite an injury-plagued second season. Odunze caught less than half of his targets (44/90) and had fewer catches and nine more receiving yards (661) than rookie Luther Burden III (47 catches, 652 yards). A stress fracture in his foot limited him to just 12 regular-season games in 2025.
However, Odunze was the leading man in the passing game early last season before suffering a foot injury that ruined his season. There were still some promising signs overall, including a 24.4 percent target rate and six TDs in 12 regular-season games, demonstrating his potential when healthy.
What Rome Odunze Brings to the Bears' Offense
Moore's exit opens the room up for Burden to take on more reverse actions out of the backfield, but it also leaves Odunze as the main target on deep routes. The former Washington Huskies standout possesses the physical tools to excel in this role, with his size and athleticism making him a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
The Bears will feature more prominently the high-upside likes of Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, with tight end Colston Loveland also factoring heavily into the passing game as Chicago surrounds Caleb Williams with young weapons on a similar career timeline. This youth movement represents a strategic shift for the franchise as they build around their second-year quarterback.
The Competition and Expectations for 2026
While Odunze steps into the WR1 role, he won't be alone in shouldering the offensive load. It does seem clear that those two and TE Colston Loveland will lead the team in targets in 2026 if they stay relatively healthy. Odunze took a step forward last season despite missing five games and can be expected to lead the receivers in his third year as a pro.
Statistically, most receivers make the biggest jumps between year two and year three. After a sophomore slump, Odunze has had the runway cleared ahead of him. The third-year receiver has the opportunity to establish himself as a true number one option in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's system.
What This Means for the Bears' Future
In Loveland, Odunze, and Burden, the Bears possess one of the NFL's most promising trios of young pass-catchers. All Moore would've done is continue taking away opportunities from three Bears players who very well could already be notably better than him. His departure will allow Ben Johnson and Williams to continue tailoring their new-look offense around their top young weapons.
The Bears are betting on their young core to deliver as they enter a crucial phase of their rebuild. With Caleb Williams entering his second season and a talented group of pass-catchers around him, Chicago has the pieces in place to take a significant step forward offensively. For Rome Odunze, this is his moment to prove he deserves the WR1 designation and help lead the Bears into a new era of success.
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