The trade deadline is barely 24 hours away. Amid this, the Chicago Bears head coach, Ben Johnson, is in a fix. The famous offensive game planner thought he had sorted out his offense until he received an odd request from star receiver Rome Odunze‘s family.

James Odunze, the receiver’s father, shared his son’s 2025 stats in his favor and blamed the Bears for not helping his son peak. In 8 games (8 starts) this year, he leads the WR room with 31 receptions for 473 receiving yards and 5 TDs. In fact, he said that QB Caleb Williams needs to choose Johnson as his first preference.

“Can the bears trade Rome Odunze to a team that will actually throw to him,” a fan asked James on X.

He didn’t use any words. Just an emoji was enough to reveal his stance. “📍,” James replied.

The demand came after their breakout week 9 win against the Cincinnati Bengals by 47-42. Among Ben Johnson’s receivers, WR Colston Loveland was the pick of the receivers with 6 receptions in 118 receiving yards and 2 scores. Rome Odunze could not catch any ball in 3 targets.

However, his father’s frustration isn’t new. He has voiced frustration online earlier as well, saying Rome could easily put up big numbers on other teams. Another time, when a fan said that Odunze could get 1,110 yards on any other NFC North team, James claimed he would get 1,500 yards. But Rome himself stayed loyal to Chicago. He understands that success also depends on the team.

“I just wanted to have the success of the team. I always feel like I can contribute and be a part of a big role for the success of the team that I’m on. So, I’m going to continue to hold that mindset,” he said a few days back.

Even Ben Johnson believes the same theory. Though Odunze might get more success on any other team, he is a key part of the Bears’ offense. He is their pillar who can help them in moments of need.

“He’s a pro,” Johnson said. “He’s started off hot here. Hopefully that’ll continue to go.”

Moreover, their QB Caleb Williams has a strong bond with the receiver. So, he could stop him from leaving. Also, the signal caller is finally going crazy in his performance.

Ben Johnson’s QB is raising the bar

During the Bears’ thrilling 47–42 win over the Bengals, Williams did something no player in league history had ever done. The second-year quarterback completed 20 of 34 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns, ran five times for 53 yards, and even caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown.

No other NFL player has ever recorded that combination of stats in a single game. The Bears also became the first team ever to feature three unique scoring performances in one game.

• Williams threw three or more touchdown passes.
• DJ Moore threw a touchdown and ran for another.
• Kyle Monangai rushed for more than 150 yards.

According to WTF Stats, Williams became the first player in NFL history to record multiple passing touchdowns, multiple receptions, and a receiving touchdown in one game. He’s also the first starting quarterback in the modern era to catch more than one pass in a game. Williams played his best under pressure.

According to Pro Football Focus, when trailing, he produced 301 total yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 124.0 passer rating. Under Ben Johnson, Williams has shown major improvement and confidence. But things need to calm down in the locker room if they really want to go all the way into the playoffs.