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Ben Johnson said Rome Odunze’s drops will be addressed this spring. We break down the issues affecting Odunze’s game.
Drops were never really part of Rome Odunze’s game. They weren’t at Washington, where he put together one of the most productive college careers in recent memory. But the young wide receiver dropped the ball enough in 2025 to get the attention of Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who is making it clear it’s an issue that won’t be ignored.
Speaking at the NFL owners meetings on March 30, Johnson struck a tone that was both direct and measured when asked about Odunze’s hands.
“That’s something we’ll talk about,” Johnson said in reference to Odunze holding onto the ball, per Dan Wiederer of The Athletic. “I don’t think that was a thing for him coming out. I don’t want to speak that into existence. That’s something we’re going to emphasize in the spring: getting back to basics.”
A Closer Look at Rome Odunze’s Drops in 2025, & Why Ben Johnson May Be Concerned
GettyRome Odunze of the Chicago Bears had some concerning drops in 2025. Head coach Ben Johnson said it’s an issue they’ll be looking to fix.
Odunze had four drops on 87 targets during the 2025 regular season, per PFF, and he had a fifth big drop in the postseason. Johnson’s comments suggest the Bears view the issue as a correctable problem, but they also signal an expectation that Odunze has to clean things up.
Odunze opened his 2025 campaign on a tear. Through the first four games, he had 20 catches for 296 yards and five touchdowns, scoring in every contest. He tied a franchise record for most receiving touchdowns through the first three games of a season and looked like the breakout No. 1 receiver the Bears had been waiting for since drafting him.
Quarterback Caleb Williams and Odunze appeared to be developing the kind of rapport the Bears envisioned when they selected them in the top 10 of the same draft class.
But after the Week 4 bye, the momentum stalled. Odunze managed one more strong outing — 114 yards against Baltimore in Week 8 — before a foot injury began to take its toll. He first appeared on the injury report in Week 9 with what was initially listed as a heel issue. His production cratered, and he finished with just 102 yards over his final three games. The Bears shut him down for the final five games of the regular season.
Odunze returned for both playoff games but was visibly limited, catching two passes for 44 yards in each contest. He finished the year with 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.
Odunze’s Foot Injury Was Likely a Huge Reason for His Uneven Performance in 2025
Bears WR Rome Odunze is playing through a stress fracture in his foot and said it was “tough” managing pain in his return vs. the Packers–
“There was soreness, but at this part of the season, it’s all hands on deck and play through it. I’ll ride it ‘til the wheels fall off.”
It’s fair to wonder how much his foot injury contributed to his drops. Playing through a stress fracture absolutely affects a receiver’s ability to plant his feet and accelerate. It’s not an excuse, but it’s likely why Johnson seemed to acknowledge that drops weren’t part of Odunze’s game before.
The good news is that Odunze said in January he won’t need surgery. And the opportunity in front of him has never been bigger — with DJ Moore now traded to Buffalo, Odunze and Luther Burden are the unquestioned top targets in Chicago’s passing game heading into 2026, alongside tight end Colston Loveland.
If he can clean up the drops, it’ll make Williams’ life a bit easier, but Odunze also has to stay healthy in 2026. He didn’t miss a game as a rookie, and he needs to have another year like that this coming season. Considering Johnson wasn’t making the decisions when Chicago drafted Odunze, Year 3 is going to be a pivotal one for Rome if he wants to take that next step and become a true WR1.
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