Former Washington WR Rome Odunze is pulling for Seattle but not so much Seahawks

Andy Yamashita, The Seattle Times on Feb 6, 2026

Published in Football

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SAN FRANCISCO — Rome Odunze isn’t rooting for the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl. To be fair, he isn’t supporting the New England Patriots either.

Odunze is excited for the city of Seattle to experience more sporting success after getting a firsthand experience during his time as a consensus All-American wide receiver at Washington.

“I love the city of Seattle,” Odunze said. “Obviously had some great years there. I know they’re passionate about their Dawgs, their Mariners, their Kraken and their Seahawks. So I’m excited.”

A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft after helping the Huskies reach the 2023 College Football Playoff championship game, Odunze just completed his second professional season with the Chicago Bears.

The Las Vegas native was establishing himself as a crucial part of a resurgent Chicago offense during 2025 before a stress fracture in his foot cost him the final five games of the regular season. He finished the campaign with 44 catches for 661 yards receiving and six touchdowns, then returned for both of Chicago’s playoff games where he caught four passes for 88 yards.

During his rookie season in 2024, Odunze had 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns while playing in all 17 regular-season games.

Odunze also got a chance to see a majority of the Dark Side secondary up close during his rookie season. On Dec. 26, 2024, the Seahawks outlasted the Bears 6-3 on a cold, wet Thursday night in Chicago. Odunze had one catch for 15 yards in a game that featured cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen along with safeties Julian Love and Coby Bryant.

While the Seahawks hadn’t drafted nickel Nick Emmanwori yet, Odunze called the Seahawk secondary “tenacious” and praised their athletic ability that lets them match up with the league’s best wideouts.

“They bring a physical mindset to football,” Odunze said, “and I think that’s exactly what they want over there in Seattle.”

But Odunze might be most excited to watch star Seahawk wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Odunze and Smith-Njigba were members of the 2020 recruiting class — Smith-Njigba was the composite No. 5 wide receiver in the class while Odunze was No. 41.

While Smith-Njigba was emerging as one of the best wide receivers in the nation at Ohio State, Odunze was similarly ascending at Washington. The former Husky said he always knew Smith-Njigba, who was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, was ready to breakout at the professional level after having conversations with him in the past, and was happy to see him live up to his potential in 2025.

“It’s pretty dope to see him and the kind of emergence he’s had this season,” Odunze said, “leading the league in several categories. So it’s awesome to see him go play.”

While Odunze isn’t necessarily rooting for the Seahawks, his UW teams were a massive part of the recent wave of sporting success the Emerald City has experienced. During the past six years, five of Seattle’s major sports teams — the Storm (2020), the Sounders (2020), the Huskies (2023), the Reign (2023) and now the Seahawks (2026) — have played in a championship game or won a title in their respective leagues.

The Mariners broke their playoff drought in 2022 and played one of the most exciting American League Championship Series in recent memory in 2025. The Kraken made their first playoff series in 2022. The Sounders have also claimed the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup and the 2025 Leagues Cup title.

Odunze, whose 2023 Huskies also won UW’s first Sugar Bowl, said it’s been an exciting time for a city that’s always loved its sports teams.

“It’s a big sports town,” he said. “I’m excited to see their team in the mix of it all.”