Rome Odunze Sounds Off on New Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson
As the Chicago Bears make major strides in reshaping their coaching staff for the 2025 season, one of their most anticipated moves was the hiring of Ben Johnson as the new head coach. Johnson, who is best known for his success as the offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaching minds in the NFL. His arrival in Chicago brings fresh optimism to the Bears’ fanbase, and many are eager to see how his offensive philosophy will translate to a team in need of a significant offensive overhaul.
However, not everyone is completely on board with the Bears’ new hire, particularly when it comes to the opinions of current NFL players. Rome Odunze, the standout wide receiver for the University of Washington Huskies and a potential future star in the NFL, recently shared his thoughts on Johnson’s hiring and how he believes the new head coach will impact the Bears’ offensive direction.
Rome Odunze’s Background and Rising Profile
Rome Odunze is one of the most talked-about wide receivers in college football, having impressed scouts with his athleticism, hands, and route-running ability. With a stellar 2024 season under his belt, Odunze is expected to be one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. His ability to make spectacular catches, create separation from defenders, and be a consistent playmaker has earned him the attention of teams across the league, including the Chicago Bears.
While Odunze has not yet played under Johnson, his comments have sparked some intrigue among NFL fans and analysts alike. Odunze’s perspective, given his position as a top-level prospect, is valuable, and his outspoken opinions about the hiring of Johnson offer an interesting insight into how players outside the immediate Bears organization view the new head coach.
Odunze’s Critique of Ben Johnson’s Hiring
Odunze’s comments about Johnson’s hiring weren’t necessarily negative, but he did share some reservations about the direction the Bears are headed with the offensive-minded coach. According to Odunze, while he acknowledges Johnson’s success with the Lions, especially in turning their offense into one of the more high-powered units in the NFC, he believes that the Bears’ offensive system will need more than just a fresh face to get the most out of their young talent.
“I get it, Ben Johnson has done some good things with the Lions. But the Bears’ offense isn’t in the same spot as Detroit’s was when he came in,” Odunze explained. “Chicago’s got a lot of work to do, and I don’t know if just bringing in an offensive guy is going to make everything click overnight.”
This assessment, while critical, is not entirely unexpected. The Bears have struggled offensively in recent years, and their young quarterback, Justin Fields, has had difficulty finding consistency in his development. Odunze’s comments reflect the skepticism that some NFL players and analysts may feel about a coaching transition, particularly when the offense has struggled so mightily in recent seasons.
Odunze’s Focus on Building the Right System
One of the key points Odunze raised in his critique was the importance of building a sustainable offensive system that maximizes the skill sets of key players—especially Fields, who has been the focal point of the Bears’ rebuild. “It’s not just about calling plays,” Odunze added. “You need to design an offense that fits the QB and the talent you have, and from what I’ve seen in Chicago, there’s a lot of work to be done in terms of surrounding Fields with the right weapons.”
This comment highlights one of the most pressing challenges for the Bears: developing an offense that complements Fields’ unique abilities. Fields, known for his mobility and playmaking with his legs, has not always been put in positions to succeed in the passing game. While Johnson is credited with helping develop a productive and balanced offense in Detroit, Odunze’s comments suggest that simply hiring an offensive-minded head coach isn’t a catch-all solution. The Bears will need to be more strategic in how they craft their system around Fields and improve their offensive line and playmakers.
Odunze’s perspective is grounded in his knowledge of what it takes to build a successful offense. As a wide receiver himself, he understands that a quarterback’s success is closely tied to having the right support, from both the play-calling and surrounding talent. For Odunze, the Bears’ offense can’t simply be an afterthought to Johnson’s overall coaching plan; it must be tailor-made for Fields and the weapons at his disposal.
What Odunze Sees in Ben Johnson’s Potential Impact
While Odunze’s critique carries some caution, he also recognizes the potential that Johnson brings to the Bears’ offense. He conceded that Johnson’s work with Detroit’s offense was impressive, particularly in terms of developing a balanced attack that featured a potent passing game along with a strong running game.
“I think Ben Johnson has shown that he can adapt to different situations. He had Jared Goff playing some of the best ball of his career, and that’s not easy to do,” Odunze said. “If he can do something similar for Fields, that’s something the Bears could really build on.”
Indeed, Johnson’s success in Detroit with quarterback Jared Goff is one of the standout aspects of his coaching resume. Goff, who had struggled in previous years, blossomed under Johnson’s leadership, leading the Lions to a top-10 offense and helping them secure a spot in the playoffs. Johnson’s ability to adapt to Goff’s strengths and weaknesses was crucial to the success of the Lions’ offense, and it’s something that Odunze believes Johnson could replicate with Fields—if given the right pieces to work with.
Odunze’s Perspective on the Bears’ Rebuilding Process
Odunze’s comments also reflect his broader understanding of the Bears’ current rebuilding process. Chicago has a lot of work to do in terms of developing its offense, and Odunze emphasized that the transition to a new coaching staff and system should be approached carefully. The Bears are not starting from scratch, but they also aren’t yet a finished product, and Odunze believes patience will be necessary as the team takes the next steps in its rebuild.
“I don’t think the Bears are just going to flip a switch and become a high-powered offense overnight,” Odunze stated. “There’s a lot of talent there, but there’s also a lot of work that needs to be done. I think Ben Johnson is the right guy to help move them in the right direction, but it’s going to take time.”
The message from Odunze is clear: the Bears are on the right path, but they must remain patient as they continue to develop their offense. While Johnson brings a fresh approach, the long-term success of the Bears’ offense will depend on their ability to build a sustainable system and develop players around their young quarterback.
What’s Next for the Bears and Ben Johnson
The Chicago Bears’ hiring of Ben Johnson is a significant step toward improving their offense, and the upcoming 2025 season will be a critical one for the team’s development under his leadership. The Bears will need to surround Fields with the right weapons and continue to build their offensive line to ensure the offense can function at a high level.
Johnson’s ability to adapt his system to Fields’ strengths will be one of the key storylines of the upcoming season. If he can do for Fields what he did for Goff in Detroit, the Bears may finally see their offense take the next step. However, as Rome Odunze points out, it will take time to implement and refine the system, and fans should temper their expectations as the team works through this transition.
For Odunze, as he prepares for his entry into the NFL, the success of the Bears under Johnson will be something worth watching closely. As a potential future draft pick, Odunze may one day find himself lining up against Johnson’s offense, and his comments about the Bears’ new head coach will certainly be a topic of discussion for years to come.