Bears' Rome Odunze Clarifies Foot Injury Comments, Says He Doesn't Have 'Chronic' Condition

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze raised some eyebrows when he declared that he was getting used to a "new normal" following the foot injury that forced him to miss the last five games of the 2025 season.

However, Odunze spoke to reporters on Thursday and clarified that he is not dealing with a "chronic" condition that would hinder him for the rest of his career.

"I really didn't articulate it well, honestly. That's not really what I meant. I just kind of meant that I had an injury. That's it. That's football. My foot feels great. My foot feels amazing," Odunze said. "The training staff here, the training staffs I work with in the offseason, all the work that I've put in to get it right, honestly it's not even really something that I think about anymore which I think is the best thing I think you can have after an injury.

He continued: "I know 'new normal,' that has a bunch of connotations of chronic and severe, like it's never going to be the same. It's not like that at all. I'm completely fine. I went through my process of recovery and rehab and it's been great. Obviously I do my due diligence and all those things. Being out sucks. That really is the number one thing as a football player, any athlete, you all know, you don't want to be out - practice, game, whatever it is. Went through my process of getting that right and I feel amazing."

Odunze still managed to record six touchdowns despite being limited to 12 games in 2025, doubling his total from his rookie year. He played in both of Chicago's playoff games but was clearly hampered by his injury, combining for just four catches for 88 yards on 12 targets.

A fully healthy Odunze would undoubtedly help the Bears maintain their status as playoff contenders in the competitive NFC, and he should be motivated to prove he can be reliable as Chicago's No. 1 wideout.