The 2024 NFL season can’t start soon enough for the Chicago Bears.
For the first time in quite a while, it’s an exciting time to root for the Bears, as they have a potential generational quarterback-wide receiver duo.
There are high hopes and expectations for the Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze connection, and they expect them to lead them to contention for years to come.
Nonetheless, it seems like the Washington product might not only be out there running routes in 2024.
According to special team coordinator Richard Hightower, Odunze is currently in contention to be the team’s primary punt returner.
He claimed that he had three returns on the books, one of which was a house call, adding that the best man would eventually get the job (via Dov Kleiman).
WR Rome Odunze could be the #Bears primary punt returner in 2024, per special teams coordinator Richard Hightower.
“He had three returns on the books and one of those three returns was a house call.”
“He’s in contention, just like everybody else. Best man will win, cream rises… pic.twitter.com/X3KrJIRYYH
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 27, 2024
Odunze is fast and physical, but teams often shy away from putting their best wide receivers in harm’s way by allowing them to return punts or kick-offs.
The Bears will have a stacked offense in 2024, with D’Andre Swift and Keenan Allen also joining the likes of Cole Kmet and DJ Moore.
Odunze will have to earn his stripes just like everybody else, but the team is expected to put him in a position to succeed, and they will do whatever it takes to get him as involved in the offense.
The present and the future seem bright in the Windy City, and plenty of that will have to do with Odunze and whether he turns out to be as good as expected.
