Bears getting critical offensive starter back for wild card game vs. Packers

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are just days away from an epic wild-card showdown in the 2025 NFL playoffs. Fortunately for the Bears, they’ll be just about at full health for the do-or-die clash.

According to multiple reports, standout wide receiver Rome Odunze will return to the lineup and resume his role as Caleb Williams’ security blanket.

“It’s going to be great,” Williams said of Odunze’s return. “Excited to have him back.”

Rome Odunze missed the last five games with a stress fracture in his foot. The Bears have been vague about his recovery timeline, but now that Chicago is in the live-or-die part of the NFL season, it’ll be all hands on deck.

“When he went down (in warm-ups before the Browns game), texted him after the game and said, ‘I got you, and we’ll get to the playoffs, and we’ll handle business when you come back, but I need you back healthy and ready to go,'” Williams said.

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Odunze finished the 2025 season with 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns. His end-of-year box score would’ve been much more impressive had he not missed so much time. He was trending to demolish his rookie year totals of 54 catches for 734 yards and three scores.

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