Chicago Bears receiver Rome Odunze is fired up to take on the Green Bay Packers again in 2026, but his eyes are truly on another division rival: the Detroit Lions.
On Thursday, NFL teams across the league announced their schedule for the season, which takes place after the FIFA World Cup, in creative fashion. The day has become a moment in each offseason, with social teams working overtime to outline their opponents for the upcoming campaign comically.
For the Bears, Odunze took center stage. While he regularly plays in braids, the 23-year-old let loose to transform into acclaimed art instructor Bob Ross, host of ‘The Joy of Painting,’ to reveal the Bears’ schedule.
Odunze’s Bob Ross Moment
“Yeah, I’m not a painter,” Odunze admitted exclusively to The Mirror Sport. “I'm not really in the art side of things. But I was purely picked because of my hair and my afro when I have it out. It's kind of similar to Bob Ross, so that was my only qualification. It was a lot of fun.”
Donning a button-up collared shirt, classic blue jeans, and his signature hairstyle, Odunze hosted ‘Happy Little Matchups’ as the Bears released their schedule. But given Chicago’s 11-6 record in a 2025 season that saw the franchise make a playoff statement, few games will be pleasantries.
Fierce NFC North Rivalries
The Bears have fierce rivalries with many franchises due to the competitive nature of the NFC North. The clashes with the Packers defined the Bears’ season, with Chicago losing a hard-fought Week 14 matchup before snatching an overtime victory two weeks later. Then, in the NFC Wild Card Round, the Bears capped off their rivalry with a dramatic 31-27 victory to advance. Odunze is ready for more.
“The more I play for a team and play in those games, the rivalry builds,” Odunze admitted. “The more you play in the game, the more skin you have in that rivalry. With five games under my belt now playing [Green Bay], it sticks in our minds. It continues to grow among fans, and the whole legend of it all just gets even bigger. Those types of epic games — OT wins, playoff wins, comebacks - they all add to that legend, and it grows each time we play. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Focus on the Lions
While Odunze is focused on adding to the storied rivalries of the NFC North in 2026, the Bears are set to return to the UK with a renewed commitment to strengthening their roots in communities and evolving their flag football programmes. The Bears will engage young people through their Chicago Bears Flag Football programmes and Girls Flag Football leagues across the country, including in Manchester, London and Birmingham.
Still, Odunze is focused on one standout game in 2026: “The Lions on Thanksgiving is fun. We've got to get them back for the two games that they got us in last year. Obviously, with our connection with them and some of the guys we got on the team and with Ben's ties, I'm looking to get after those guys for sure.”
