​After months of rumors, the Chicago Bears dealt DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in early March, leaving behind far more than a vacancy atop the depth chart. The move created a three-way competition for someone to become Caleb Williams’ go-to target after a season in which four players seemed to vie for the role at times. This isn’t simply about replacing Moore’s production. Every franchise quarterback eventually develops his guy, the receiver he trusts when it is third-and-long, when the play breaks down or when the game is on the line. That is the role that is up for grabs in Chicago this season. Rome Odunze, Luther Burden and Colston Loveland each make a compelling case for why they should be the guy. One brings established chemistry, another offers game-breaking explosiveness and the third could become Williams’ security blanket over the middle. By the end of this article, I will tell you who I am betting on to earn Williams’ trust in 2026. Rome Odunze: The Familiar ConnectionIf anyone has a head start in this race, it is Odunze. Odunze and Williams – each selected in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft Class – are entering their third season together and have already built the one thing that cannot be coached: trust. Their chemistry extends beyond the field, too. The two have spent time working together during the offseason, and Odunze has not hesitated to publicly back his quarterback when criticism has come his way. That connection showed up on the field in 2025. Despite playing in just 12 games due to a foot injury, Odunze commanded a 21.9% target share and quickly became one of Williams’ favorite scoring options, turning three of his five red-zone targets into touchdowns. He finished with six of Chicago’s 28 receiving touchdowns while averaging more receiving yards per game than any other Bears pass-catcher. The advanced numbers paint an even clearer picture. Odunze recorded 37 first downs and led the Bears’ receivers with a 26.2% first-read rate, evidence that when Williams dropped back, he looked for No. 15 first. The only thing standing between Odunze and becoming Caleb Williams’ unquestioned No. 1 target isn’t talent. It’s his availability on the field. Over two seasons, injuries have repeatedly interrupted what could have been breakout years. If Odunze can finally put together a healthy season, he has every opportunity to emerge as Williams’ favorite target. Until he proves he can stay on the field, however, it is fair to wonder whether someone else will seize that opportunity instead. Luther Burden: The Wild CardLike most rookie receivers, Burden needed time to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL. His early-season role was very limited. As the year went on, however, the Bears began to trust him with a larger workload, and he rewarded that confidence. After Week 10, Burden’s involvement steadily increased, with his target share climbing throughout the second half of the season. Burden also benefited from Odunze’s injury, which