Editor’s note: The Bears kickoff the season on Sunday at noon vs. the Titans. Tune in to the Marquee Sports Network App immediately after the game for The Official Bears Postgame Live presented by United Airlines. For more information on how to watch, click here: https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/shows/bearspostgame/.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Rome Odunze stood before his locker, ready for the media’s approach. The rookie receiver had to know which question was coming first, though he never thought it would emanate from someone in a locker to his right.

“Rome, are you scared for your first game?”

Odunze instantly smiled, instantly recognizing that unique sense of humor and vocal tone. He turned towards DJ Moore, seated below the crowd, and responded in kind.

“Yep,” Odunze said. “I’m terrified.”

His expression suggested otherwise. Odunze seemed comfortable in his own skin and his role in this Bears offense, ready to enter his rookie season for real and without fear.

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That’s a good thing for the Bears. They’ll need Odunze operating well to perform at their legit-scary best, as one member of an all-star cast surrounding quarterback Caleb Williams.

That’s an odd descriptor for a top-10 NFL draft pick. Those guys are most always in the spotlight, with every move magnified under the assumption that draft status equals instant and profound impact.

Williams has shielded Odunze some, absorbing the glare as the No. 1 overall draft pick. He has been able to merge onto the NFL freeway with relative ease, focusing less on lofty expectations and more on development work with mentors like Moore and Keenan Allen.

While many discuss how Williams has fallen into a great situation rare to his draft status, Odunze’s in that same spot. He’s joining an excellent receiver corps where he doesn’t have to be the savior. He might be, in time, but he’s part of a collective right now.

“DJ has stuff on film and Keenan has stuff on film, and I’m excited to see what I can add to that mix,” Odunze said. “Hopefully we can do something that’s special.”

Odunze led college football in receiving yards last season. He won’t have to lead his own team this year but can still play a vital role in this offense’s efficiency. Much like Williams, he needs to do the little things right and pick moments to be spectacular.

“It’s about being available on any given play,” Odunze said. “When you have so many different weapons on the field, you’re not going to see the ball on every play. That’s not the expectation, but I do expect myself to make plays and be put in opportunities to make those plays.”

All that starts during Sunday’s regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. And despite his original, sarcastic answer, Odunze is not terrified of that.

The Bears coaches have prepared him well. The Bears secondary has pushed him to the limit, with tight coverage during reps and trash talk right after.

Odunze feels ready for his first real game, and plans on enjoying the moment. He’ll warm up and get used to the playing surface. Maybe he’ll find a defensive back to work with on contested catches as he did at Washington. He’ll go through his paces, get ready with his team and then hit the sidelines just in time for something he has always missed.

“In college, you’re always in the locker room for the national anthem and the flyovers,” Odunze said. “I’m a big fan of fighter jets, so I’ll finally get to see that. I’ll be next to my boy DJ and I’ll lean over and cry on his shoulder (this was said, dripping with sarcasm). Then I’ll get ready to play.”

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