The Chicago Bears have one philosophy that seems to present itself over everything else. Find a way to get the ball into the hands of your best players. They proved that last year with D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet. That figures to happen again, this time with Keenan Allen in the mix. However, that presents one problem. What do they do with Rome Odunze? The 9th overall pick brings tons of talent to the table. Yet there are only so many footballs to go around. If they can’t feed him in the passing game, the Bears might have to find an alternative.
One possibility they’ve flirted with is putting him on punt returns. Many have insisted that won’t happen. You don’t do that with top 10 picks. Matt Eberflus put that myth to bed during his interview with Kay Adams on Up & Adams.
Rome Odunze is wide open to the idea.
That is important to remember. He wants to. Devin Hester is his hero. Of course he’d jump at the chance to return punts just like his idol. Besides, Rome Odunze has the capability. He only returned three punts in college. One of them went for a touchdown. If the Bears feel like he can handle the workload, and it appears they do, then give him the green light. This will be a great well to get the ball into his hands a few more times per game without having to force it on offense. The only one standing in his way is DeAndre Carter. Both figure to get some important opportunities on Sunday against Buffalo.
How about letting the man get his legs under him before you try to take them from under him.
Yes, returning punts is all fun and games until a 10 million dollar WR blows out a knee, …. Downvoting this idea. Even if he houses a couple, let’s just play him at his best position.
Joe Gibbs used to say that in the playoffs you put your starters on special teams to get a little extra juice, so if the Bears make the playoffs (someday) and Rome returns a few there, I’m good with that, but preseason and regular season, put in someone they can afford to lose for the season to injury.
Hell no! I wouldn’t risk putting Rome back there in a dangerous position where he could get a leg taken out and injure his knee to ruin his career.
Let a backup return punts, not a future star at WR!
Lol, Pettis won’t make this team. How many 6’3” PR do you see in the NFL? It dosent seem like that’s Romes game to me.
Why not? We also have DJ and Keenan to rely on. Let the rookie make his own ceiling. I’d rather Odunze return than Pettis or someone else.