The Chicago Bears have a highly productive offense for the first time in what feels like forever. Unfortunately, it hasn’t always been pretty to watch. Too often, the unit still looks disjointed at times. Some of it is Caleb Williams’ inability to hit on passes he normally should. However, an even bigger part is the rampant drop issues from the receiving corps. According to the latest stats, Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, Olamide Zacchaeus, and the other starters have 17 drops this season. That is tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. Yet that isn’t the most maddening part.
No, that is the fact that Chicago had 20 drops in all of 2024.
Somehow, the offense got better while the receivers got worse. Keep this in mind. Williams has averaged 12 yards per completion. If we do the calculations, that means they left an additional 204 yards on the field due to drops, likely more. You can also safely assume two or three of those drops would’ve been touchdowns. Williams could already be over 2,500 yards with 15 or 16 touchdowns if guys just held onto the ball. The Bears quarterback would be on course for 4,306 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Rome Odunze needs to set the example.
He fancies himself the new #1 guy in that offense. Yet he hasn’t made his presence felt like a true top wide receiver would. Rome Odunze is so gifted, but hasn’t forced defenses to respect him. Too often, it feels like defenders have no trouble outbattling him for the football. Moore had three drops last season. He already has two this year. For someone typically so reliable, his diminished efficiency is hard to understand. Zacchaeus is the worst culprit with four. He had five all of last season.
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Talent is not the problem with this group. They have more than enough to make defenses wary. It’s been their concentration that isn’t on point enough. Williams has given them ample opportunities to make plays. They’re not doing it enough. If they want to hang with the big boys down the stretch, that better change. Otherwise, the Bears may have to rethink their ball distribution.