Bears Rumors: Rome Odunze Agrees to 4-Year, $22.7M Rookie Contract

The Chicago Bears officially have more firepower on the roster.

Chicago and wide receiver Rome Odunze agreed to a four-year, $22.7 million fully guaranteed contract, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Odunze was the No. 9 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.

The start of the draft unfolded perfectly for the Bears, which is why Odunze fell to the NFC North team at No. 9. Quarterbacks went with the first three picks—including Chicago's selection of Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall—and the Los Angeles Chargers went with offensive lineman Joe Alt at No. 5.

That meant that even with wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 4 to the Arizona Cardinals) and Malik Nabers (No. 6 New York Giants) going in the top-six picks, Odunze was still available for the Bears at No. 9.

And he is now part of a loaded offense.

While Chicago's ceiling will ultimately be determined by whether Williams lives up to his potential as the top overall pick, he is in an ideal situation for a rookie signal-caller. The team already had DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, D'Andre Swift and Gerald Everett before the draft and now has Odunze as well.

The Washington product was a major reason the Huskies reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game during the 2023 campaign.

He finished with 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns as someone who can beat press coverage over the top, come down with contested catches and make plays after the catch on underneath routes.

The rookie pass-catcher also figures to see plenty of single coverage against cornerbacks who are lower on the opponent's depth chart considering he is playing alongside Moore and Allen.

That should help him produce even if he is fourth on the team in targets.

It should also help Odunze live up to the expectations that come with this rookie contract.