The Chicago Bears were one of the hottest preseason picks to make a splash in 2024, primarily because of the tandem of rookie QB Caleb Williams and rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze.
However, the Nos. 1 and 9 picks in the NFL draft, respectively, failed to deliver on the hype. The Bears went 5-12 and lost 10 consecutive games at one point during what was a disappointing season in the Windy City, to say the least.
However, there is a new sheriff on the sidelines in head coach Ben Johnson — a reputed quarterback whisperer and the designer of a Detroit Lions offense that has dominated each of the past two seasons, winning two NFC North Division titles and falling just shy of the Super Bowl two years ago.
The Bears have beefed up the offensive line in a serious way, adding two new offensive guards and a new center, all of whom will presumably start in 2025. Chicago also appears intent on parting ways with receiver Keenan Allen, for whom the franchise traded a fourth-round pick ahead of last season.
All of those changes will add up to Williams and Odunze making monster jumps on the field next year, according to Alex Kay of Bleacher Report.
“Expect both to have breakout sophomore seasons, with Odunze particularly primed to make a massive Year 2 leap,” Kay wrote on March 13. “With less competition for targets and more time for his quarterback to throw, Odunze will make a Pro Bowl leap in 2025.”
Odunze is entering the second season of a four-year, $22.7 million rookie contract.
