Johnny Morris Bears record: Why Rome Odunze believes he can break team's all-time receiving mark

Brendan OSullivan

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Johnny Morris Bears record: Why Rome Odunze believes he can break team's all-time receiving mark image

Rome Odunze is ready to break records.

After a standout senior season at Washington alongside No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr., Odunze landed No. 9 with the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft. He'll form a talented duo with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.

Odunze and Williams are set to be the faces of a Chicago franchise looking to get past the NFC Wild Card game for the first time since 2010.

Odunze, who's just settling in with the Bears organization, learned of the franchise's all-time receiving record less than 24 hours after being drafted.

Here's what the standout receiver said and more on the Bear's all-time receiving record.

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Who is the Chicago Bears' all-time receiving leader?

The Bears haven't had much offensive success over the course of their history, at least not over a long period of time.

Johnny Morris, who played for Chicago from 1958-67, owns the all-time receiving record with 5,059 yards. He played 121 games during his career, all for the Bears.

Morris led the league in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,200) and yards per game (85.7) during the 1964 campaign. He earned his only All-Pro nomination and was fourth in AP MVP voting.

Morris does not rank in the top 250 players for most career receiving yards in history.

SCOUTING REPORTS: Marvin Harrison Jr. | Malik Nabers | Rome Odunze

Rome Odunze comments on the Bears receiving record

Odunze was unaware of the Bears' all-time receiving record before Friday when he joined The Parkins & Spiegel Show on 670 The Score.

Upon learning of the record, Odunze asked whether the 5,059 mark was a career total.

"I hope I go break that record and add a few thousand to it," Odunze said.

Morris has a comfortable lead on top with the next closest players being Harlon Hill at 4,616 and Alshon Jeffrey at 4,549 receiving yards.

If Odunze plays seven seasons for the Bears and averages 800 yards per year, he could break the all-time record early in his seventh season. The most difficult challenge to break the record is maintaining health and staying with the franchise for a significant period of time — something that's become uncommon in the NFL.

Rome Odunze college stats

Year School Games Receptions Receiving yards Receiving TDs
2020 Washington 4 6 72 0
2021 Washington 9 41 415 4
2022 Washington 12 75 1,145 7
2023 Washington 15 92 1,640 13

Brendan OSullivan

Brendan OSullivan Photo

Brendan O'Sullivan is an editorial intern for Sporting News, joining in 2024. He previously worked at Newsday on Long Island, New York after graduating from Quinnipiac University.