Bears WR Rome Odunze sets incredible goal for rookie season

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze is setting an extremely lofty goal for himself. The No. 9 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft recently revealed that he’s chasing the all-time rookie receiving yards record this season.

Rome Odunze is coming for the rookie receiving record pic.twitter.com/wR09vBVmXs

— PFF (@PFF) June 14, 2024

The record is currently held by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who posted an all-time-high 1,486 receiving yards in his rookie season last year. Before that, the record was held by Houston Oilers wideout Bill Groman, who recorded 1,473 yards in 1960 (in three fewer games than Nacua). It’s amazing that Groman’s record stood for so long considering how pass-happy the league is nowadays.

Nacua’s record won’t match Groman’s tenure. Ja’Marr Chase nearly shattered Groman’s record in 2021 (1,455), and Justin Jefferson came close in 2020 (1,400) as well. Before Chase and Jefferson, nobody had come particularly close since Anquan Boldin in 2003 (1,377).

One factor potentially working against Odunze is how good and deep Chicago is at the skill-playing positions. Shattering records requires volume. For example, Nacua was the sixth-most targeted receiver in the league last season, with 160 opportunities. His 1.486 yards ranked fourth among all receivers.

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It will be difficult for Odunze to come close to matching that sort of volume if the Bears manage to stay healthy (and that’s the hope). Barring something totally unforeseen, Odunze will be the third receiver in the pecking order behind D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. The good news is that new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is expected to utilize 11 personnel (three-receiver sets) as his preferred grouping. Tight end Cole Kmet should also see 75-95 targets (90 last season).

We appreciate Odunze’s mindset. He should strive to shatter records because chasing greatness leads to first-year achievements. Odunze should enjoy a fantastic rookie campaign for the Bears, whether he sets the all-time rookie receiving record or not.

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