Chicago Bears Rome Odunze Reveals The Franchise Legend He Looks To Emulate; And It Should Excite Fans
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze has high aspirations, and they extend beyond just catching passes. The 2024 first-round pick has his sights set on emulating his all-time favorite player, Bears legend and Hall of Fame return specialist Devin Hester. Odunze’s admiration for Hester is so profound that he is actively looking for opportunities to make his mark in the return game, just like his childhood hero.
Chicago Bears Rome Odunze On Devin Hester
In a recent interview, Odunze expressed his willingness to contribute on special teams, a role that Hester famously turned into an art form. “I might have to hit up coach (Richard Hightower) to get in the return game too,” Odunze said. “He was a special player. Hopefully I can emulate just a little bit of that.” When asked if he was serious about returning kicks and punts, he confirmed his interest, stating, “Shoot, man, there’s always a chance… Put the ball in your hand and go to work.”
Making an Immediate Impact
While his special teams debut remains to be seen, Odunze is already making a significant impact as a cornerstone of the Bears’ offense. Through the early part of the 2025 season, he has quickly become a key target for quarterback Caleb Williams. With five receiving touchdowns already, Odunze has surpassed his rookie season total and is on pace to become just the 20th player in franchise history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season. His connection with Williams, another 2024 first-round pick, is proving to be a bright spot for a Bears team looking to establish a new identity under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
Odunze’s early success is a crucial component of the team’s promising 4-3 start. His development, alongside Williams, provides a glimpse into a potentially dynamic future for the Bears’ offense. He praised Williams for his leadership and ability to handle the intense scrutiny that comes with being a No. 1 overall pick, noting his quarterback’s focus on the standards set within the building rather than the outside noise.
Chasing a Legacy in Chicago
Odunze’s goals are not just about personal statistics; they are about building a lasting legacy in a city that is passionate about its football. He understands that Bears fans are desperate for a championship, an experience they haven’t had since the iconic 1985 team. The last time the Bears reached the Super Bowl was in 2007, a game famously opened by Hester’s electrifying kickoff return for a touchdown.
For Odunze, emulating Hester means more than just making explosive plays. It means striving for greatness and aiming to bring a championship back to Chicago. “That’s obviously the goal… That’s what we’re striving for,” he said of winning a title. On a personal level, his ambitions are just as high. He hopes that when his career is over, he will be considered one of the best to ever play the position, worthy of a gold jacket just like the one Hester received in 2024. By embracing the city and its history, Rome Odunze is not just playing for the Bears; he’s aiming to become a part of their legendary story.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Drops Eye-Opening Maxx Crosby Statement
Getty
Maxx Crosby chasing Patrick Mahomes.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs are reigniting their rivalry in Week 7. While the Chiefs have dominated the rivalry, the personal rivalry between defensive end Maxx Crosby and quarterback Patrick Mahomes has gotten intense at times.
While the two are friendly away from the field, they have been known to get very competitive with each other. Mahomes has spoken very highly of Crosby in the past and had more praise for the star pass rusher ahead of the Week 7 matchup.
“A ton of respect,” Mahomes said of Crosby, via Raiders.com. “When I talk to him outside of football, it’s like we’re friends. You wouldn’t even see what happens on the football field. But he’s the type of competitor like me. When you get on that football field, it’s whatever it takes to win and you’re going to leave everything on the football field. I have a ton of respect for that.”
Chiefs Coaching Staff Talks Crosby
The Raiders aren’t as talented a team as the Chiefs, but they’ve played them competitively the last couple of years. Crosby is the type of player who can take over a game on the defensive side of the ball. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is prepared for Crosby.
“Maxx is a heck of a competitor, and he’s 100 miles an hour every play. I’m sure he’s that way in practice. He just goes and goes,” Reid said.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy also praised Crosby.
“He goes 100 percent of the time all the time and its relentless,” Nagy said. “He’s a game changer. He can affect the game. Just a ton of respect and you’ve got to know where he’s at on every play.”
Mahomes Discusses Raiders Rivalry
The Chiefs-Raiders rivalry is one of the most historic in the NFL. The two franchises have hated each other for decades.
The Chiefs have dominated the rivalry for a long time, but they know that the Raiders won’t go down without a fight.
“I always say it doesn’t matter if you’re doing good, they’re doing good, both doing good, both doing bad, this game – it means more to everybody,” Mahomes said. “Everybody that’s playing in the game, both sides of the football. You have to have that mentality. It’s a true rivalry game. You don’t have a lot of those in the NFL and I’m blessed to be a part of it because it really does bring out the best in both teams.”
Cornerback Trent McDuffie knows the Raiders are going to give it their all.
“No matter who’s playing on that field, they’re gonna play four quarters,” McDuffie said. “I have a [great] deal of respect for them and how they’re coached and how they play this game. I mean, we’ve seen around the league, you can’t really sleep on anybody.”
The Raiders need a win in this spot ahead of their bye week, so they’re going to have a lot of motivation to pull off the upset. If they can, they’ll be right back in the mix in the AFC West.
