Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Rome Odunze

Monday, January 6, 3:37 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen said that he will go through his normal process and evaluate whether he wants to continue his playing career this offseason. Thielen said he's leaning in a certain direction, "but I'm not going to tell you what that is." If the Panthers choose to do so, they can cut the 34-year-old with only a $5 million dead salary cap hit to get out of the final year of his deal. He missed time in 2024 due to a hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve, but Thielen was productive when healthy as quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target, catching 48 passes on 62 targets for 615 yards and five touchdowns in 10 starts. Staying in Carolina is the likely outcome if Thielen chooses to play another season. His chemistry with Young would give him a solid fantasy floor as a flex, depending on what the rest of the WR room looks like in 2025.

Monday, January 6, 8:44 AM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze had a disappointing game in Sunday's 24-22 win over the Green Bay Packers. The rookie receiver struggled for productivity, as he had only two receptions for 18 yards on the day. The game marked Odunze's eighth game this season with two or fewer receptions as he capped his rookie campaign with his second straight game with under 20 yards receiving. The 22-year-old receiver had an up-and-down season, finishing the year with 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns across 17 games. Depending on who the Bears bring in to call the shots, though, Odunze may enter the 2025 season with a leap forward to a solid second option for the Bears.