Is the Jaxon Smith-Njigba Extension a Sign of Things to Come for Rome Odunze? Or is it a Warning?

Image Credit: Chicago Bears. Despite entering his third season, the urgency is already there for Odunze to become the league's next big-name receiver. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's recent extension with the Seattle Seahawks should be the wake-up call needed, but the need to perform might be emphasized further if Puka Nacua gets a deal done with the Los Angeles Rams.

On Monday morning, it was reported that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had himself a monster 2025 season, signed an extension to remain with the team for the next few years.

The extension is a four-year deal worth $168.6 million, $120 million of which is guaranteed money. The deal makes Smith-Njigba the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, surpassing the $161 million extension signed by Ja'Marr Chase last offseason. Alongside the activation of the fifth-year option on Smith-Njigba's contract, Seattle will retain their star receiver until the 2031 season.

That record might not hold for long. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is arguably seen as one of the NFL's top receivers alongside Smith-Njigba, could easily leverage this extension to get the best possible deal out of the Rams' front office. It is worth noting that, according to Mike Garafalo, "any extension talks with Nacua may take more time to complete than those pertaining to Smith-Njigba".

What This Means for Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze

After a contract with Nacua is finalized, the Bears are likely entering uncharted territory for the organization.

Wide receiver Rome Odunze is about to enter the third year of his rookie deal, one that is set to expire after the 2027 season. That makes him eligible to sign an extension with the Bears after the 2026 season.

Given that Odunze is a former first round pick, he may attempt to work a contract out in that ballpark. That said, he has yet to play up to the level Nacua or JSN.

Comparing Rome Odunze to NFL’s Top Wide Receivers

Despite establishing himself as the league's top wide receiver, Smith-Njigba's rookie season wasn't as star-studded. That 2023 season saw him amass just 629 receiving yards on 93 targets, while also recording four touchdowns.

It was Smith-Njigba's second year in the league that saw him make an sustained impact. On 137 targets, Smith-Njigba recorded 1,130 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while averaging just over 11 yards per reception. His numbers would once again increase during the 2025 season, which saw him record almost 1,800 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging over 15 yards per reception.

Nacua, on the other hand, brings more of a complete package. Each of his first three seasons has seen him average at least 10 yards per completion, while his part in the Rams' running game has seen him score two rushing touchdowns over his first three years. That's a part of Smith-Njigba's game that hasn't exactly been shown on the stat sheet, but Seattle's use of running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet should excuse him to some degree.

For Odunze, the performance is there, but the statistics aren't yet at the level of a Smith-Njigba or Nacua. Sure, his first two seasons are somewhat similar to those of Nacua and Smith-Njigba, but it's taken him two seasons to establish himself as a legitimate option in the Bears' offense.

Odunze's 2025 season saw him record 661 yards and six receiving touchdowns, while also averaging 15 yards per reception.

While the ability to be a consistent option past 10 yards is already there for Odunze, similar to what we see out of Nacua, we still need to see the yardage that characterised Smith-Njigba's game over the past two years.

Whether Odunze can do that this season will be key to earning any long-term extension at this point in time.

Should he be expected to get in touching distance of 2,000 yards? No.

Is it worth saying that he needs to post 15 touchdowns? No.

A reasonable expectation for Odunze's "semi-contract year" should be for him to have at least 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Although Odunze should be closer to 1,100 yards given he will be the unquestioned No.1 option.

DJ Moore’s departure to Western New York signals a shift in Chicago’s offense. At the same time, players like Colston Loveland are expected to take a step forward. That puts added pressure on Odunze to establish himself as a reliable piece for the franchise’s long-term plans.

Smith-Njigba getting the biggest wide receiver contract in NFL history should be a notification in itself, but the possibility that a Nacua extension is done might very well ring the alarm bells when it comes to Odunze's performance. Odunze may be entering his third season in the league, but he's arguably the next-in-line when it comes to star receivers enjoying a big breakout.

Justin Jefferson was the big-name receiver in 2024.

Smith-Njigba took the title the following year.

It's now Odunze's turn to make his mark. And his ability to do so could very well define his future with the Bears.