Steve Smith Sr., James Palmer push back on Rome Odunze bust label in crowded Bears offense

Ben Johnson's scheme limits his individual target share.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 28m1 min read

Is Rome Odunze a bust? Steve Smith Sr. and James Palmer break down why that’s the wrong conclusion: how Rome wins as a t Via @JamesPalmerTV on X

What happened: Steve Smith Sr. and James Palmer defended Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze against fantasy football bust labels, pointing to his execution as a traditional route runner. Both analysts noted that Chicago's deep group of pass-catchers and Ben Johnson's offensive design

Why it matters: Selected ninth overall out of Washington in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Odunze entered the 2026 campaign following July foot concerns after catching 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns across 12 games in 2025, per ESPN. His route discipline forces opposing coverages to account for him on the perimeter even when progressions go elsewhere, helping sustain offensive balance during Chicago's playoff push.

By the numbers: Chicago holds a 5-2 record on a two-game winning streak and occupies the No. 5 seed in the 2026 regular season following a 30-24 win over the New England Patriots on Oct. 22.

What to watch: Odunze's route usage and target share within Johnson's weekly game plan remain key offensive barometers as Chicago approaches the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline.

Sources

@JamesPalmerTV 2026-10-28T15:52:59.455243+00:00

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Steve Smith Sr., James Palmer push back on Rome Odunze bust label in crowded Bears offense

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