Rome Odunze on Caleb Williams playing quarterback: 'It's effortless for him'

Former Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze will be catching passes from a college rival in Caleb Williams with the Chicago Bears, but he’s more than okay with it.

Of course, Williams played with the USC Trojans during his final two seasons of college ball, but the duo will be looking to light it up on the same sideline in 2024 and beyond at the next level. Speaking with the media, Odunze elaborated on the talent his quarterback possesses, and everything Williams can do.

“He’s very talented. I got to see that, when I was playing against him in college. It’s really effortless for him,” Odunze said, regarding his new quarterback. “You know, he can do a lot of things that other quarterbacks may think are hard effortlessly. He continues to improve, every time that I see him, and he’s very smooth. He can throw the ball from any angle, body position, anywhere on the field, to any spot on the field.

“So you always have to be ready, always have to be prepared, any time he’s in the backfield. So it gives you the confidence that he’s going to put it on you when you’re giving him your best on a route.”

Odunze was already considered by many to be a can’t-miss prospect, but he couldn’t have been drafted to a better spot. Now, he can learn and grow as a football player with his quarterback, and Williams also adjusts to the NFL.

The league has been put on notice, as the Chicago Bears have completely remade their team in an off-season, and look to be a threat in the NFC North for years to come.

Rome Odunze: Bears’ offense will be ‘very reminiscent’ of Washington’s

Moreover, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze believes the team’s offense will be similar to what he played in with the Washington Huskies. While speaking with Bears host Jeff Joniak, the first-round pick explained how the Bears’s offense will be efficient.

“So many different weapons, so many ways to be efficient as an offense,” Odunze said. “It feels very reminiscent of what I came from at [Washington]. I know they’re going to put us in positions to succeed and I don’t know who’s going to be able to stop us with so many weapons.”

Along with Odunze, the Bears of course drafted quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in this year’s draft. The Bears also have veteran wide receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, as well as star running back D’Andre Swift. It’s clear the team is determined to be an offensive force in the NFL this fall, and Odunze could be a big reason why. 

Matt Miller of ESPN said Odunze is his favorite pick of the draft, as he explained following the event.

“Let’s give the Bears credit for not overthinking and simply drafting great players. With a rookie quarterback added in Caleb Williams, selecting a go-to receiver for him to learn and grow with was brilliant,” Miller said. “It also helps that the two trained together, building chemistry in the pre-draft process. Odunze was my No. 3 overall prospect, which means Chicago drafted two of my top three players in this class.”

On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this article.