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Everything changed for the Chicago Bears with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, and he might just be the guy to get the most out of the team's top-10 picks from a year ago -- quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker certainly believes Williams and Odunze are in for a big season as he named the pair of first rounders to his All-Breakout Team for the 2025 season.
Despite a chaotic rookie season that featured two head coaches, three offensive coordinators, a turnstile offensive line and a 10-game losing streak, Williams still managed to set franchise and NFL rookie records. He threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions while starting all 17 games. Now, Williams is primed for a breakout year as he finally gets a competent coach in Johnson, who will be tasked with maximizing his potential.
"Williams certainly has areas to improve, including sack avoidance (league-high 17 sacks attributed to him) and negative plays (nineth percentile in avoiding such plays)," wrote Locker. "But after adding Ben Johnson as his play caller and general manager Ryan Poles significantly upgrading Chicago’s offense with Joe Thuney (80.0 overall PFF grade), Drew Dalman (78.8 overall PFF grade), Colston Loveland (90.6 PFF receiving grade) and Luther Burden III (80.2 PFF receiving grade), Williams has everything at his disposal to excel this year."
Odunze was the third receiver selected in the 2024 draft, but he showed the potential to be a real threat in the long term. Last season, Odunze totaled 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns as the third receiver behind veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. With Allen gone, Odunze will see an expanded role as the second wideout, where he has the potential to thrive in this new offense.
"With Keenan Allen leaving Chicago, Odunze should garner even more targets than his 96 a season ago," Locker wrote. "The same adages about Williams in the Bears’ new-look offense also apply to Odunze. With a more stable infrastructure, better quarterback play and play-caller who knows how to get his top weapons the ball, Odunze should look more like the superstar we saw at Washington."
Williams and Odunze have the potential to be a dynamic duo for the long term in Chicago, and we'll finally get a glimpse at what they can do now that Johnson is leading the charge on offense. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see both Williams and Odunze have breakout seasons.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze dubbed All-Breakout Team contenders
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Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker certainly believes Williams and Odunze are in for a big season as he named the pair of first rounders to his All-Breakout Team for the 2025 season.
Despite a chaotic rookie season that featured two head coaches, three offensive coordinators, a turnstile offensive line and a 10-game losing streak, Williams still managed to set franchise and NFL rookie records. He threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions while starting all 17 games. Now, Williams is primed for a breakout year as he finally gets a competent coach in Johnson, who will be tasked with maximizing his potential.
"Williams certainly has areas to improve, including sack avoidance (league-high 17 sacks attributed to him) and negative plays (nineth percentile in avoiding such plays)," wrote Locker. "But after adding Ben Johnson as his play caller and general manager Ryan Poles significantly upgrading Chicago’s offense with Joe Thuney (80.0 overall PFF grade), Drew Dalman (78.8 overall PFF grade), Colston Loveland (90.6 PFF receiving grade) and Luther Burden III (80.2 PFF receiving grade), Williams has everything at his disposal to excel this year."
Odunze was the third receiver selected in the 2024 draft, but he showed the potential to be a real threat in the long term. Last season, Odunze totaled 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns as the third receiver behind veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. With Allen gone, Odunze will see an expanded role as the second wideout, where he has the potential to thrive in this new offense.
"With Keenan Allen leaving Chicago, Odunze should garner even more targets than his 96 a season ago," Locker wrote. "The same adages about Williams in the Bears’ new-look offense also apply to Odunze. With a more stable infrastructure, better quarterback play and play-caller who knows how to get his top weapons the ball, Odunze should look more like the superstar we saw at Washington."
Williams and Odunze have the potential to be a dynamic duo for the long term in Chicago, and we'll finally get a glimpse at what they can do now that Johnson is leading the charge on offense. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see both Williams and Odunze have breakout seasons.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze dubbed All-Breakout Team contenders
Continue reading...
