When Rome Odunze was quite young, Devin Hester executed his memorable kickoff return for a touchdown at the start of the Super Bowl. This occurrence is surely a contributing factor to Odunze’s declaration of the Chicago Bears’ Hall of Fame inductee as his all-time favorite player.
Odunze has been trying to integrate elements of Hester’s style into his own gameplay and expresses a willingness to further explore this if the chance arises to participate in special teams.
“I might have to connect with coach (Richard Hightower) about getting involved in the return game, too,” Odunze conveyed to CBS Sports during an exclusive interview. “We’ll see what happens. But, he was an exceptional player. Hopefully I can mirror at least a fraction of that.”
Is Odunze genuinely considering the possibility of fielding punts and kickoffs for the Bears?
“Why not, you know, there’s always a possibility,” he stated. “There’s always a chance, definitely. Hand me the ball and let me get to it.”
Odunze has indeed been hard at work this season for the 4-3 Bears, who are striving to achieve their first winning season since 2018. Selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, Odunze has emerged as a vital component of Chicago’s promising start. With five touchdown catches, he has already surpassed his rookie season’s total by two and is on track to become the 20th player in franchise history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season.
The Bears’ initial success has been generally credited to Chicago’s first-year coach, Ben Johnson, who openly challenged his players to elevate their practice routines following Chicago’s 0-2 beginning. The team responded with a sequence of four consecutive victories before last Sunday’s defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.
Odunze praised Johnson’s aptitude for striking a balance between pushing his players and preserving harmony within the locker room, an endeavor that is not necessarily straightforward for any coach, particularly a first-time head coach in his inaugural season with a new team.
“It’s certainly a delicate balance, that’s for sure,” Odunze observed. “At this level, it’s a consideration you have to be aware of. But I believe he’s been doing a commendable job managing it.
“He approaches us with a really thoughtful perspective. Understanding our emotional state, what demands he needs to make of us and the expectations he has. I feel that these things have aligned and complemented each other effectively. That’s partially why we were able to steer ourselves onto the right course with that four-game win streak. His message this week is that our preparation will guide us back on track.”
Johnson’s sustained success in Chicago will largely hinge on his effectiveness in working with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, who for some reason seems to be a magnet for continuous critique.
Williams, who was sacked a league-leading 58 times during his rookie season, has enhanced his passer rating this year despite navigating the difficulties of learning a new offensive system for the second consecutive year. As previously stated, Williams has also had to contend with the intense scrutiny that accompanies being a former No. 1 overall draft pick.
“He’s handling it very well,” Odunze said of Williams and his capacity to manage the external pressure. “He’s undeniably a leader for us, both on this team and within this organization. Amidst all the scrutiny and everything people are saying about him outside the facility, I believe he maintains the mindset that what truly matters is everything within these walls. Holding himself responsible to meet the standards of expectations within this building.
“Ultimately, people will invariably have something to say. So he’s managed that aspect exceptionally well and has been consistently improving since his arrival.”
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Although he spent the majority of his formative years in Las Vegas, Odunze has fully embraced Chicago since joining the Windy City in 2024. He frequently embarks on “food adventures” with his partner while exploring the downtown area, he mentioned.
Odunze is aware of the significance a championship would hold for Chicago and its fan base, which has not experienced such a triumph since Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, and the rest of the legendary 1985 Bears team secured Super Bowl XX nearly four decades ago. Chicago has not returned to that stage since Hester etched his name in history as the first and only player to commence a Super Bowl with a kickoff return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI.
In addition to emulating Hester’s achievements on the field, Odunze also harbors a strong desire to assist the Bears in reaching and ultimately winning the Super Bowl.
“They’re yearning for that,” Odunze remarked about Bears fans. “That’s obviously the overarching objective. … That’s what we’re striving to achieve. We’re aiming to accomplish that this season, and we’re equally focused on doing so the season after. We simply need to assemble the pieces and position ourselves to make it happen, and that process begins with the daily dedication.”
From a personal perspective, Odunze aspires for his career to ultimately be distinguished enough to be recognized alongside his childhood idol’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hester was enshrined in Canton, Ohio, in 2024, becoming the first player to be inducted primarily for his contributions as a return specialist.
“When I retire, I hope to be regarded as one of the greatest to ever play this position,” he stated. “Hopefully I’ll have my jacket and all the other accolades that come with it. Those are undeniably long-term ambitions, but you have to aim to be the best, or what’s the purpose of even trying.”
Alongside his pursuit of team and individual excellence this season with the Bears, Odunze has partnered with Invisalign, a transparent orthodontic system that straightens teeth using removable aligners instead of traditional metal braces.
“I actually had a personal experience with them in high school,” Odunze shared. “It was a wonderful experience. It’s also supported by 25 years of research, and it’s assisted 20 million people. I’m one of those 20 million, so it’s been fantastic.”
