Rome Odunze Nearing Return as Bears Eye NFC North Title and Playoff Push
With the NFC North title within reach, the Chicago Bears are getting a well-timed dose of optimism. Heading into Week 17, the math is simple: one win in their final two games - either against the San Francisco 49ers or Detroit Lions - or a Green Bay Packers loss in either of their last two, and the Bears will lock up their first division crown since 2018. That would mark a major milestone in what’s been a resurgent season in Chicago, and it would allow the team to shift its full focus to the postseason.
But while the standings are trending in the right direction, the Bears have had to navigate some bumps on the injury front - none more notable than the absence of rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze. The second-year wideout has been sidelined since November 28 with a stress fracture in his foot, a tricky injury that often requires patience and careful management.
Now, there’s reason to believe help is on the way.
Ben Johnson: “He’s in a good spot”
Head coach Ben Johnson offered a promising update this week, telling reporters that Odunze is “going to be able to help us this year.” That’s a significant development, not just for Odunze’s recovery but for what it means to a Bears offense that’s been grinding through December without one of its most dynamic weapons.
“He’s on the right track. He’s in a good spot,” Johnson said, signaling that while Odunze may not be back just yet, his return is closer than it’s been in weeks.
Why Odunze’s Return Matters So Much
Let’s talk impact. Even with three missed games, Odunze still ranks second on the team in receiving yards (661), trailing only D.J.
Moore. He’s also leading the team in receiving yards per game at 55.1.
That kind of production - especially from a young receiver in his second year - is hard to replace.
The Bears have found ways to win without him, including a gritty Week 15 victory over the Browns where Odunze was a surprise inactive shortly before kickoff. But the offense hasn’t quite had the same vertical threat or ability to stretch defenses without him on the field. His absence against Green Bay raised some eyebrows about whether this was going to be a longer-term issue, but Johnson’s comments suggest a return is very much on the horizon - potentially timed with the start of the playoffs.
Tough Test Ahead in San Francisco
Before the postseason, though, the Bears face a big-time measuring stick in the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners are 11-4 and just showed off their offensive firepower with 440 total yards in a win over the Colts. While this game carries more weight for San Francisco - who’s still jockeying for the NFC’s top seed - the Bears have already clinched a playoff berth, which gives them a little more flexibility in how they approach Week 17.
That flexibility could extend to Odunze. If he’s not quite ready to go, the Bears may opt to hold him out again, especially with the division still within reach in Week 18.
Week 18: A Potentially Favorable Matchup
The regular-season finale against Detroit could offer the Bears a more manageable path to the division title. Chicago was steamrolled by the Lions in Week 2 - a 52-21 blowout - but that was a different version of Detroit. The Lions have stumbled down the stretch and could be eliminated from playoff contention as early as Week 17, depending on how things shake out with the Vikings and Packers.
If Detroit comes into Soldier Field in Week 18 already out of the playoff picture, the Bears could be facing a banged-up and possibly unmotivated team. That would give Chicago a golden opportunity to clinch the division at home - and, crucially, another week to rest Odunze before the postseason.
The Bottom Line
Whether he suits up in Week 17, Week 18, or waits until the playoffs, Rome Odunze’s return is going to matter. His ability to separate, win contested catches, and produce after the catch adds a different dimension to the Bears’ passing game. And with the playoffs looming, every weapon counts.
This team has already taken a big step forward in 2025. Getting Odunze back just in time for the postseason? That could be the boost that takes them from playoff hopeful to legitimate threat.