Even before they became Bears teammates, Caleb Williams knew from firsthand experience that Rome Odunze excelled at catching 50/50 passes.
“I have all belief and faith in him every single time that that ball goes up in the air.” Caleb Williams on Rome Odunze
The 6-foot-3 receiver developed that reputation at Washington, ranking among the nation's leaders in contested catches and contested catch percentage.
It's something that Williams witnessed in person during a Pac-12 battle Nov. 4, 2023, in Los Angeles. In his second season as USC's quarterback, he watched from the sideline as Odunze soared over Trojans defensive back Domani Jackson to snare a pass from quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Having seen that and having worked with Odunze since they were drafted together in April, it's no wonder that Williams had the utmost confidence in Odunze in a key situation Sunday against the Lions.
On fourth-and-1 from the Detroit 45 in the third quarter, Williams lofted a pass deep downfield to Odunze, who high-pointed the ball over 5-9 cornerback Amik Robertson for a 30-yard gain.
"I have all the belief in him," Williams said Monday. "I've seen him do it. I've seen Rome do that in games versus us when I was in college. Watching him live to watching him in his YouTube videos to seeing him here with us through camp and games, he has a reputation for a reason.
"Anytime we get a chance to have a one-on-one with Rome … I have all belief and faith in him every single time that that ball goes up in the air."
It wasn't the first time Sunday that Williams and Odunze converted a fourth down. On fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 31 in the second quarter, Odunze made a sliding 13-yard catch to sustain a drive that resulted in Williams' 1-yard touchdown pass to Cole Kmet.
Odunze finished the game with four receptions for 77 yards, increasing his season totals to 51 catches for 701 yards and three TDs. He was also clutch Nov. 17 on the Bears' final drive against the Packers when he caught passes of 16 yards on third-and-19 and 21 yards on fourth-and-3 on back-to-back plays.
"Rome has been consistent from Day 1," said interim coach Thomas Brown. "When he's had an opportunity to make plays, the guy constantly shows up. You're talking about critical moments: fourth-down calls, two-minute drives, winning one-on-one. He's a separator, has elite twitch, really good ball skills and is a really detailed route runner. I would say he's been good overall."
Williams and Odunze continue to strengthen a close bond that began in April. About a week before the draft, they held a throwing session in Los Angeles along with Bears receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Williams and Odunze later traveled on the same flight to Detroit for the draft, where they were selected by the Bears with the first and ninth overall picks, respectively.
Williams is happy that he and Odunze have embarked on their NFL journeys together.
"It's been great, to be able to have a young guy with me like Rome, spectacular person, spectacular player," Williams said. "Being able to have him here and grow with him and our relationship over the years is going to be vital for the team. To be able to continue that and continue to grow that is going to be really fun and really vital. He's going to get better, especially with the guys he had here this year with him, Rome with DJ and Keenan, two guys who have been doing it for a while. I think it's helping him being able to watch those guys and how they move and how they work."
Odunze is just as excited about growing along with Williams.
"From the moment you step on the field with a great player like him, you feel that confidence and I think that you feed off of that from one another and I think that we do that well," Odunze said. "But you've got to go out there and prove it on the field and we have to continue to do that."
