We’re moving into the deeper portions of Chicago Bears training camp, with 10 full practices and even more walk-throughs already complete. We’ve seen players step up into larger roles than in previous seasons, with some impressive performances coming from returning players who have clearly developed over the offseason. Rome Odunze, for one, is off to a solid start.

While the high NFL draft picks and big free-agent signings will make most headlines, the Bears need better out of returning players on the ascent.

These early practices have given us a glimpse of guys who might’ve been good last year but could be even better working under head coach/offensive play-caller Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

Here are five Bears players seemingly ready to make a big leap in the 2025 season:

WR Rome Odunze

The University of Washington product had 54 receptions for 734 yards in 2024. That’s not bad for a rookie NFL receiver. Relatively speaking, of course. It wasn’t what you’d expect from a No. 9 overall pick.

Odunze receives somewhat of a pass for two reasons. Bears fans were focused more on No. 1 overall selection Caleb Williams, and top-10 receivers generally go to barren position groups, not one with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen sucking up target share.

Odunze spent his first NFL offseason getting bigger and stronger and ready to secure contested catches. Allen also is gone, leaving Odzune as the clear No. 2 receiver who will anchor the “X” wideout spot.

“He fits that prototypical ‘X’ receiver where you can line him up outside the numbers and, provided he gets a one-on-one with a corner, he’s going to win most of his matchups with slant routes, stop routes, go routes, the whole route tree outside the numbers,” Johnson said last week. “That’s what I’ve seen from him so far. He’s a really detailed route-runner. …

“When you have a long guy that can win contested catches and torque down the field and all that but yet can still drop his weight and get into and out of routes, that’s really a unique skill set that we’re going to look to capitalize on.”

Odunze and Moore both could have 1,000 receiving yards, even with so many quarterback-friendly targets in the pattern. This is a big year for Odunze, and we’ve seen plenty of signs that he’s ready to realize his vast potential.

DT Gervon Dexter Sr.

The Florida product started last season strong, with four sacks and 10 quarterback hits in his first five games. His pass-rush production slowed after that, though his run defense remained relatively steady from a three-technique position.

Dexter will be asked to do some different things now that pure three-technique Grady Jarrett has arrived via free agency. Dexter will be asked to hold the line and be a major run stopper, in addition to a pass rusher in important moments.

Dexter bulked up considerably during the offseason to help when asked to play nose tackle. He told The Athletic that’s actually his preferred position.

He’ll move around the line some, but he’s a big and strong individual who can do many things well. Having Dexter match up with the center and push the pocket back is as important as anything a defender does, and he could become a force on the interior if he can find consistency from week to week. His pass-rush numbers might not be quite as good, but his overall impact truly can be.

DE Dayo Odeyingbo

It’s odd to see a free-agent signing on a list like this, but it’s deserved, considering the Bears’ bet big, to the tune of $48 million over three seasons, that Odeyingbo’s best is yet to come.

Last season is a great reason to use that logic. Odeyingbo had just three sacks but 13 quarterback hits and 25 hurries. He created pressure on a regular basis — he just wasn’t getting home enough as a full-time starter. He had eight sacks the year before, but his other totals were down, so there’s belief in Chicago that Odeyingbo can make game-changing plays on a regular basis.

We’ve seen good play from Odeyingbo during camp, primarily working against the offense’s left tackle. He’s a stout run player, but the Bears need sacks and forced fumbles from someone they’re paying handsomely. Odeyingbo has the talent to do exactly that.

RB Roschon Johnson

The Bears used the University of Texas alum in odd ways last season. He almost exclusively a short-yardage runner was, and he was good in those situations, especially around the goal line. And that was about it.

The Bears drafted Johnson with a fourth-round pick in 2023, and he’s capable of more, especially as a compliment to D’Andre Swift’s slashing style. Johnson is 6-feet, 225 pounds and a tough runner who can be punishing late in games when allowed.

Johnson has been a second-unit runner to this point, and he’ll certainly cede some carries to rookie Kyle Monangai, but he can find a significant role in the ground game if he excels during joint practices versus the Dolphins and Bills and in preseason games.

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