Chicago Bears Rome Odunze needs to be better, but the drop narrative is unfair

Green Bay, Wisconsin - Rome Odunze, the Chicago Bears' ninth overall pick, has yet to fully live up to expectations. While he has been a solid wide receiver, fans have been quick to criticize his drop rate. However, I believe the narrative surrounding these drops is unfair and clouding our judgment of Odunze's true abilities.

Indeed, there have been some egregious drops throughout Odunze's career, such as the one against the Rams with a chance to go to the NFC Championship. However, he has also made several impressive catches, including a highlight reel play against the Eagles, which should have been a touchdown. Another notable catch was a contest against the Patriots his rookie year, where he nearly made a touchdown before falling down.

The narrative has also become exaggerated when it comes to contested catches off the ground. While these can be difficult plays, they are not always a dead giveaway of a missed catch. For example, when a pass from Bagent to Odunze was broken up at the catch point, it was a highly difficult play made possible by the defender's effort.

In addition to the criticism, it's worth noting that Odunze has shown great potential in contested catches, often being one of the best at creating separation. With more time and consistency with QB Caleb Williams, I believe Odunze has the potential to become an even better pro.