The Chicago Bears offense is one of the most intriguing units in the National Football League.
Entering the 2024 season, the Bears have almost an entirely different look. It starts with number-one draft pick Caleb Williams, the preseason favorite for Rookie of the Year. But a lot of intriguing questions have yet to be answered.
Who, for instance, will be Williams' top target? With decorated veteran Keenan Allen, 2023 standout DJ Moore, and fellow top-10 draft pick Rome Odunze all jockeying for targets, it's difficult to predict who will command the largest share of the passing game.
One football writer, though, planted his flag on Friday. If the latest preseason "bold prediction" comes true, it will be the young gun who usurps his more experienced peers in Chicago's wide receiver room.
On Friday, Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors predicted that Odunze would take over the top wide receiver role in Chicago's offense "by November."
"I don’t expect Odunze to eclipse (Keenan Allen and DJ Moore) — right away," Ulrich said. "But by the time the season hits the halfway mark or so, I think Odunze’s talent will be undeniable."
It's going to take a lot for Odunze to prove he deserves top billing over Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler, and Moore, who had 1,364 receiving yards last season. But Ulrich believes the University of Washington product is up to the task.
"He’s got size, speed, route-running chops, contested catch proficiency and an underrated gear after the catch," Ulrich said. "I think Odunze is going to show the league sooner rather than later that he’s a special player."
If Odunze proves to be the best target the Bears have right out of the gate, Chicago's offense could reach new heights in 2024. It all begins with his NFL debut on Sunday at his new home stadium against the Tennessee Titans.
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