By Courtney Cronin | Nov. 6, 2025
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze said Thursday that posts his father shared on social media reflect his dad’s opinions — not the receiver’s — and that he isn’t bothered by them.
Odunze had his first game without a catch Sunday in the Bears’ 47-point, last-second win over the Cincinnati Bengals, though he was targeted three times. He offered a candid evaluation of his own play, noting an end-zone pass that hit his hands after a tip was one he ‘could definitely make.’
After the game, James Odunze reposted social-media messages questioning whether the Bears should trade his son to a team that would ‘actually throw to him’ and saying the receiver ‘should be seeing at least 10 targets per game.’
‘I don’t make a big deal out of it,’ Rome Odunze said. ‘Obviously, he has his opinions, and I have mine. And he feels like he needs to voice those things on social media. That’s his prerogative. But he speaks for himself. I speak for myself.’
Statistically, Odunze leads the Bears in targets (59), receiving yards (473) and receiving touchdowns (5), and he is tied with Olamide Zaccheaus with 31 receptions. He’s averaging just over seven targets per game and dismissed any implication that he’s upset about his role.
‘Oh, man. I’m happy,’ Odunze said. ‘I’m just trying to do my job within this organization as a leader, as a person, as an individual and then as a football player. So, trying to excel at a Hall of Fame level in those aspects. That’s all I’m focused on.’
Cleared to practice Thursday after missing time with heel and ankle issues, Odunze said answering questions about his father’s posts is part of the job and that his dad’s intentions come from support.
‘I’m pretty good at answering questions,’ he added. ‘Like I say, he has his opinions, and at the end of the day, he’s a Rome fan. He’s in full support of Rome Odunze. So, that’s first and foremost for him. But I love my pops.’
The Bears highlighted Odunze’s contributions beyond the stat sheet, tweeting a 2-minute, 16-second clip of his blocking in the win — a facet of his game he said he’s emphasized since entering the NFL and one that’s often underappreciated.
‘That was cool. I appreciate them doing that,’ Odunze said. ‘It’s an unspoken, underappreciated aspect of wide receiver play that I feel like I excelled at in that game. Just looking to build on that.’
The 5-3 Bears host the New York Giants at Soldier Field on Sunday.
