Rome Odunze breaks down missed explosive play against the Rams

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — On the first offensive possession for the Bears’ offense coming out of halftime against the Rams, Caleb Williams completed a 10-yard pass to Cole Kmet on second-and-6. The completion continued the drive, which eventually ended with Williams connecting with DJ Moore for a 9-yard touchdown.

The 12-play, 74-yard drive was a good start to the second half, but it potentially could’ve happened much faster. On the second down play, Rome Odunze lined up just inside the numbers to Williams’ right. Odunze quickly ran past cornerback Cobie Durant while Rams safety Kamren Curl was caught watching the underneath routes.

Odunze got behind the defense and turned to look for the ball, but it was thrown to Kmet. The rookie wide receiver put his hands on his helmet as he began to decelerate.

Here is what Odunze had to say when asked about the play on Friday in the Chicago Bears locker room. Odunze also spoke about running double moves and what he likes about that type of route concept.

“Definitely an opportunity and sometimes that happens,” Odunze said. “I felt like I had the capability to get the ball here and go over the top of the defense for a big play, but, you know, Caleb may have felt some pressure in the pocket and he dumped it down to Cole for a gain on the play.”

Odunze also went on to say you “can’t be too mad” about the play, but he did admit it was a “disappointing play, but it happens.”

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The Bears still finished the drive with a touchdown and won the game, 24-18, but those explosive plays have been missing through the first four weeks from the offense. After the first quarter of the season, the Bears rank last in explosive plays with just 12 (6 rushing and 6 receiving).

Despite the lack of production so far, Odunze feels the offense is close to making more of those big plays.

“Man, they’re right there,” Odunze said. “I think you can see it on this tape. It’s a few things here and there that we can fix. Maybe another play if I would’ve did something different and, you know, if Caleb had the opportunity to throw it there as well. It just takes all 11, you know what I mean? And we’re right there to making that thing click and making everybody on the same page, so I’m confident that it will be here soon.”

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