Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze is putting concerns about his foot injury to rest after his recent comments sparked speculation about his long-term health.
Earlier this offseason, Odunze described the aftermath of last year’s foot injury as his “new normal,” a remark that led many to wonder whether the injury would continue to affect him throughout his career.
However, the young receiver has since clarified that his words were taken out of context and insists he is fully healthy heading into the new season.
“I know ‘new normal,’ that has a bunch of connotations of like chronic and severe, like, never going to be the same,” Odunze said, via Chris Emma of The Score. “It’s not like that at all. Like, I’m completely fine.”
The former first-round pick suffered a stress fracture in his left foot during the 2025 season, an injury that ultimately forced him to miss the final five games of the regular season before returning for Chicago’s playoff run.
Although he acknowledged previously that the injury changed the structure of his foot and required ongoing maintenance, he emphasized that it is no longer something that limits him on the field.
Odunze explained that while his rehabilitation routine remains part of his daily preparation, he does not spend time worrying about the injury anymore. Instead, his focus is on improving his game and taking on a larger role in the Bears’ offense.
His clarification comes at an important time for Chicago. With expectations rising for the Bears’ passing attack, Odunze is projected to become one of quarterback Caleb Williams’ primary targets.
Any lingering questions about his health naturally drew attention, especially after his earlier comments circulated widely across social media.
Fortunately for the Bears, recent practices have shown little evidence that the foot remains an issue. Odunze has reportedly been moving well during training camp and participating without apparent restrictions, reinforcing his confidence that he is ready for the season ahead.
Chicago is counting on Odunze to build on the flashes he showed before the injury interrupted his sophomore campaign. If he remains healthy, the talented receiver has an opportunity to emerge as one of the focal points of the offense and take another step in his development.
For now, Odunze’s message is simple: despite the attention surrounding his earlier remarks, he believes his foot is no longer a concern, allowing him to concentrate on helping the Bears compete in 2026.
