NEWSLETTER
In watching the other 31 NFL teams, one things that consistently pops up is how the best squads constantly do whatever it takes to get the ball into the hands of the playmakers.
Sometimes, it takes involving a player on special teams plays to make it happen.
And it sounds like the Chicago Bears are willing to do that with Rome Odunze.
Over at Pro Football Talk, Michael David Smith unearths a quote from Bears Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower that makes me think the team is truly considering using the wide receiver as a punt returner in his rookie season:
“Rome is an every-down player. Rome’s a first-down player, a second-down player, a third-down player and a fourth-down player,” Hightower said, via PFT. “He had three returns on the books and one of those three returns was a house call.”
I figured the Bears would deploy rookie wideout Rome Odunze in a varity of roles in his first year as a pro. Because of his size and skills, I expected to see Odunze – who was chosen with the No. 9 overall pick in last April’s NFL Draft – play outside on the boundaries and inside the slot. The combination of talent and positional flexibility could make covering the University of Washington product problematic for opposing defenses. However, I can’t say I considered Odunze as a punt return option until I read those words from Chicago’s special teams coordinator. Clearly, this is something that is being kicked around and under consideration at Halas Hall.
The Bears would be wise to get creative with how they use Rome Odunze as a rookie
Even with as many three receiver sets as this team figures to run with new Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron calling the shots, Rome Odunze still sits behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen on the depth chart. Meaning that when the Bears run two tight end sets that feature two wide receivers, such as when they’re in 12 personnel, Odunze will be on the sidelines. So, with that in mind, perhaps it makes sense for the Bears to explore other paths to get the ball in Odunze’s hands.
According to data from SumerSports, the Seattle Seahawks, whose playcaller last year was Shane Waldron, ran personnel with at least two tight ends (12 personnel, 13 personnel) on 304 of the team’s 977 plays. That comes out to 31.1 percent of the time. For what it’s worth, Seattle did use 11 personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE) on 64.2 percent of the time. So it’s not like there won’t be ample opportunities for Odunze to be on the field. But the three TE sets will cut into his playing time.
So, yeah, maybe the Bears *SHOULD* consider using Rome Odunze as a punt return option. Especially if it looks like this (h/t @ImBearingDown):
Rome Odunze’s 83-Yard Punt Return TD pic.twitter.com/N51YUzTgUn
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) April 18, 2024
I have mixed feelings about using Rome Odunze in a punt returner role.
The idea of using a potential future WR1 on special teams fills me with some angst. I’d hate losing an every-down player because of deployment as a special teams player. Bears fans have seen it as recently as 2022 when Khalil Herbert suffered an injury while returning a fourth-quarter kickoff that put him on injured reserve. And even though Herbert still finished the 2022 season with the highest yards per carry average among running backs who played enough snaps to qualify for the rushing crown, his produciton after the injury took a hit. There is a part of me that is uncomfortable with the Bears taking that type of risk with Odunze.
But on the other hand, I’m all for getting the ball in playmakers’ hands by any means necessary. Whether it be by hook or by crook, I want my favorite team’s best and most dynamic players to get as many touches as possible. Hence, I am open to hearing out the Bears’ idea to use Rome Odunze as a punt returner. Plus, knowing that Devin Hester was Odunze’s favorite player growing up, I think it would be pretty cool to see him return punts jus tlike his football idol did. I love it when football stories come full circle.
Bears training camp has its first open practice in 29 days. I can’t wait to see where Rome Odunze lines up.
