Bears WR Rome Odunze Signs Four-Year, $22.7M Rookie Deal

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has signed his four-year, $22.7 million rookie contract the same day rookie players reported to Halas Hall for training camp on Tuesday. Odunze, the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, agreed to the fully guaranteed deal with a fifth-year option.

Rome Odunze led the Pac-12 in receptions, receiving yards, and yards from scrimmage last season at Washington

In 40 games across four seasons (2020-23) at the University of Washington, he totaled 214 receptions, 3,272 receiving yards, 24 touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns on 10 attempts.

Last season, he finished with 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns as a key contributor. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound wideout can beat press coverage over the top, record contested catches, and make plays after the catch.

Odunze led the Pac-12 in receptions, receiving yards, and yards from scrimmage (1,677) last season. He also finished second in receiving yards per reception (17.8) and second in touchdown receptions.

“I think you just see it being easier for him: the separation and holding the line, [and] giving Michael [Penix Jr.] more room to throw the ball,” said then-Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer.

“His height is already an advantage. So if a defender plays behind, you just throw it over the top of the defender. And [if] they’re even or in front of him, just keep it high and away.

“Rome’s got those ball skills. He’s got the size, the strength to be able to get that separation. And it just continues to get easier.”

Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the only Chicago Bears rookie who has yet to sign his contract

The rookie pass-catcher is expected to see single coverage against backup cornerbacks, since he is playing alongside Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, and even DeAndre Carter.

In other news, quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, is the only Bears rookie who has yet to sign his NFL contract.

Williams, who is not represented by an NFLPA-certified agent, addressed his contract situation last weekend during his inaugural Caleb Cares Foundation event in Chicago.

“I’m not handling that,” Williams told The Chicago Tribune on Saturday. “My lawyers and attorney and everybody, the head of the Bears, everybody up there up top is handling that. That’s not my position that I’m handling.”

According to ESPN’s report, negotiations are “progressing” between the team and the 22-year-old while expecting to have all outstanding contracts signed by the team’s first training camp practice on Saturday.