The 2024 season was not kind to the Chicago Bears or rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze. The acquisition of Odunze and the No. 1 pick quarterback Caleb Williams looked to be the turning point for a struggling Bears team. Instead, coaching proved too much of an issue to overcome.
To make matters worse for Odunze fantasy managers, other rookie receivers like Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Ladd McConkey all enjoyed excellent first seasons. Heading into this season, the situation in Chicago leaves Odunze managers in flux, with his value uncertain heading into the fantasy season.
A duplicate of his 2024 campaign, which included 54 receptions, 734 yards, and three touchdowns on 101 targets, will not suffice for where he was drafted. Is Odunze worth trading away, for, or holding on to? Let’s sort things out ahead of his sophomore campaign.
Bears Offensive Struggles Hampered Rookie Season
Everything that could’ve gone wrong for the Bears in 2024 did. Behind offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Chicago’s offense struggled mightily throughout the season. Prominent receiver DJ Moore had inconsistent production despite a career high in receptions (98), finishing with 966 yards, down from his productive 2023 campaign.
Yikes… Caleb Williams watched film alone with no instruction or guidance from coaches during his rookie season.
‘No one tells me what to watch’ Caleb Williams told his dad. ‘I just turn it on’. pic.twitter.com/reUzp5wyMD
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) May 15, 2025
The Bears’ offense was neither efficient nor productive. Williams’ struggles were well documented, but further issues were the mouths to feed.
Odunze fell behind Moore and Keenan Allen in targets, making him the third option in any given game. Cole Kmet and D’Andre Swift also had a similar target share. This was a struggling offense that spread the ball out quite a bit, which is a disaster for fantasy production.
Should Fantasy Managers Trade for Rome Odunze?
Since the beginning of May, 63.5% of trades among PFSN Trade Analyzer users involving Odunze have seen them acquiring the second-year receiver. He’s a player on the move in dynasty leagues thanks to the crossroads he finds himself at.
If your Odunze manager has him on the trade block, is he worth offering for?
That’s a question that requires more context to answer, but the situation in general remains an intriguing one, with so much change on the horizon in Chicago.
It would be difficult for the Bears’ offense to get much worse. New head coach and respected offensive mind Ben Johnson seems like a slam-dunk hire, but it’s worth considering that he’s a young coach in a new role, so the offense may not click immediately.
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Johnson’s track record with the Detroit Lions, where he coordinated a top-scoring offense that averaged over 30 points per game, provides reason for optimism. Either way, the floor should still be higher than what Waldron offered, with a much higher ceiling.
The issue of target share for Odunze has not changed, however. Allen is gone, so it’s possible he can eat up those targets, assuming he earns the WR2 role. But, the team also added a pair of high-value draft additions in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III. Neither should eat directly into Odunze’s role, but an additional red-zone threat and a manufactured touches guy won’t help, either.
Caleb Williams with an absolute piss missle to Rome Odunze pic.twitter.com/WiPgiKQS22
— Bears Film Room (@bfr_pod) June 6, 2025
Ultimately, Odunze is the quintessential “hold” for me. If his manager is panicking and willing to sell him just to be free, then he’s more than worth the offer.
Odunze’s ceiling entering his second year alongside Williams in a better offense outweighs the drawbacks of his floor to me. Even if he doesn’t become a great asset, the odds of Odunze improving and increasing his value make him well worth the investment.
It’s worth considering that Odunze may also play a role that is not friendly to fantasy. He very well could be a deep threat, 50/50 ball type player who doesn’t exactly challenge every part of the field. That can still be a great player, but better for the real game, not fantasy leagues.
The Bears targeting Loveland and Burden, players who excel in the area of the field that Odunze doesn’t, does worry me some. Still, if you aren’t getting reasonable offers for Odunze, then you shouldn’t be selling at his lowest possible value.
Practice patience if you’re an Odunze manager, or buy him low if the opportunity is available. If a solid, even trade is on the table to sell or buy, I’d lean toward avoiding unless you’re desperate for a young receiver.
