NFL News: Rome Odunze Signs Rookie Deal with Bears By Grant Winsauer

Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Rome Odunze signed his rookie contract with the Chicago Bears. The four-year deal is worth $22.7 million, including a $13.3 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option. 

Odunze was the first of him and Caleb Williams to agree to terms with the Bears, signing about two hours before Williams signed. They both signed when they reported for training camp. I never had any concerns about them not being signed before their first practice. They waited to sign because the Bears are on Hard Knocks, which would be an extraordinary moment to film for that series. 

Now, the Bears won’t have to deal with drama involving their two first-round draft picks not practicing. The team's veterans report to training camp on Friday, and the team has its first practice on Saturday. Williams and Odunze will be out there for their first practice.

Odunze had a great college career at the University of Washington, playing in 36 games, catching 214 passes for 3,272 yards with 24 receiving touchdowns, according to sportsreference.com.

Odunze joins a crowded receiver room, with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen ahead of him on the depth chart. So, right now, Odunze is slotted in as the third wideout in the offense. But if I had to guess how many yards Odunze can have as a rookie, I would guess somewhere between 700 and 850 yards with five to seven touchdowns. If he can get around that many yards as a rookie, I would count that as a successful rookie year. 

Williams and Odunze will be outstanding quarterback and receiver duos for the Bears for years, and I can speak for all Bears fans. We are all here for it, and we are excited for football to be back.