Chris Odom Focused on New Renegades Team in 2025

Image via Instagram @uflrenegades

New Arlington Renegades defensive end Chris Odom has been one of the most decorated spring football players since the AAF in 2019 and continues to play at a high level in 2025.

After being released by the Houston Roughnecks before training camp, he signed with the Renegades in the hopes he can replace last year’s top edge rushers like Jalen Redmond and Vic Beasley.

Odom spent some time with me after the Renegades-Roughnecks joint practice Saturday to discuss his time with Arlington, his experience with the Cleveland Browns two years ago and his expectations for 2025.

Experience with the Renegades so Far

Image via Anthony Miller

I asked him about his experience with the Renegades through training camp. Odom has felt comfortable with the team as he is familiar with his new teammates.

“I know technically I'm a new member, but I know half the team already been teammates with some of the guys on the team, and some I played against in different teams, different leagues. With that being said, it just felt like a natural fit. I mean, it was new colors back home, back in my hometown, but nevertheless, still feel comfortable. It feels like a great fit.”

The Renegades and Roughnecks shared the field on Saturday for a joint practice. It was the first time Odom got to line up on the other side of his old team. He enjoyed the competition and has no hard feelings about his release.

“I love it. I already knew what it is. I expected them to try something, try to run some plays at me a little bit. I'm probably going to expect that in Week 2 as well. But I love it. No hard feelings at Houston at all. But at the end of the day, it's a game, it is a business, and we're just going to keep it like that.”

Odom was a member of the previous Houston Gamblers in the USFL in 2022, leading the league in sacks with 12.5. The USFL would reward him with Defensive Player of the Year and named him to their All-USFL team.

After spending late 2022 in the NFL, he returned to spring football to play in the UFL with the Roughnecks. He picked up where he left off with 31 tackles and 5.5 sacks, which were tied for sixth in the league. Once again, Odom was named to the All-UFL team.

Now wearing the R on his helmet, he has had to adjust to a new defensive system that is split between Marvin Sanders as pass game coordinator & defensive backs coach and Jay Hayes, who is run game coordinator & defensive line coach.

Making the adjustment has gone well for Odom as he enjoys the more free, aggressive approach to the Renegades’ defense.

“To me, it feels a A lot simpler, more natural fit for my style of play. Then working with Coach Jay and the rest of the guys on the D-line, we just know how to work together. We know how to simplify it for ourselves so we can just line up and play. The easier we can simplify it, the less thinking, the more playing we can do.”

Staying at a High Level

Image via X @USFL

Odom was been on all-league teams twice and won an individual award which is something most players in the league can’t say they have done. Being consistent in preparation has been Odom’s route to being one of the best players in the UFL.

“Just constantly working your skills, try and stay healthy as possible, just keep on training, and then just do whatever it takes. Once you had the taste of glory of being at the top, it's one thing to get there, it's another thing to stay there. I just got to keep working at it and just got to keep putting it on the tape. And so my team can see it. They see it, they believe it. I'm just going to show them and then just believe in me as much as I believe in them.”

Time with the Cleveland Browns

Image via Instagram @theusfl

Between his time in the USFL and UFL, Odom returned to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. His preseason performance was excellent, as he racked up three tackles, one quarterback hit, and one sack. His luck would run out as he suffered a torn ACL injury that would end his abrupt time with the Browns.

While it was tough in the moment, Odom didn’t let the injury hold him back from still playing football.

“It was tough. It was my first major injury of my career. So while I was rehabbing, I had A lot of time to think and to think what my life was going to be like once I did get healthy, what playing football again once I did get healthy was going to be like. It was tough, but at the same time, I knew that I was going to do whatever it takes to get back and play the best of my abilities. At that point, it was just getting back on the field and doing it, getting the muscle memory back, and then you just continue playing at a high level. I feel even better this year compared to last year, being my first year back from my injury. I'm just going to keep it going.”

Expectations for 2025 UFL Season

Image via Instagram @chrisodom93

Now returning for a fourth year playing spring football in the U.S., Odom has made sure to keep his expectation high with more of a focus on being the player the Renegades need him to be.

“Just what they expect whenever they signed me. They expect a high-level player, and that's exactly what they're going to get. I'm going to give them my best. Hey, just going to put it out there and just do what's best for the team, and I'm going to help my teammates to be in the best positions to make plays, and then at that point, just bring a championship back home.”