The Chicago Bears are being considered the winner of the 2024 NFL Draft, as not only did they draft the best quarterback of the class, but also acquired a solid offensive weapon as Rome Odunze. The franchise has ensured another reliable backing in terms of catching the passes for Caleb Williams in the upcoming season.
Odunze, whom the Bears drafted using their No. 9 overall pick, is set to join the strong receiving corps of two Pro Bowler receivers, DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. The Washinton receiver grew up cheering for the Pro Football Hall of Famer Devin Hester and supported the Bears through all the ups and downs.
The potential wideout intends to stay in the Windy City for a long, as he hopes to surpass the franchise’s receiving records and establish himself prominently. However, he hadn’t thought those records would be so underwhelming.
In a recent radio interview with the Parkins & Spiegel Show, Odunze was asked about the Bears’ franchise receiving yards record. He initially guessed the six-time Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall, but it turned out to be wrong. The Bears’ franchise receiving yards record was made by former All-Pro Johnny Morris, but that isn’t the shocking part.
“How many does he got?” asked the young receiver. That’s when he was told the record is of 5,059 receiving yards.
With utter shockness in his voice, Odunze confirmed, “In… the… in the career?”
Rome Odunze’s reaction to finding out the #Bears all-time receiving record is hilarious
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) April 30, 2024
(via: @670TheScore) pic.twitter.com/NBSGH1ZFFa
As shocking as that record, there is said to be a wide receiver curse on the Bears. Even though Morris had a brilliant career in football, the stain of his less-than-stellar 5,000 career yards record stays with him, even today. Many potential wideouts have come to the Bears and then, faded out.
There might be a chance for Odunze to surpass the franchise record if his career hits a hot start and he stays in Chicago for multiple years. Though, unlike his contemporaries, the wideout wouldn’t have to carry the hefty burden of carrying the offense.
Given, the Bears have made sure to acquire a good number of offensive weapons this offseason. And as they succeeded, they stand strong as a powerhouse heading towards the 2024 regular season.
He is joining Pro Bowlers Moore and Allen, who is coming off his best season in 2023. In the lead, the team has USC star quarterback Williams, who is known to be a playmaker.
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