Pre-draft At the
NFL Scouting Combine, O'Donnell recorded 23 repetitions on the bench press, better than 19 running backs, 21 defensive linemen (including
number one draft pick
Jadeveon Clowney), and all 37 wide receivers invited.
Chicago Bears O'Donnell was selected by the
Chicago Bears with the 191st overall pick in the sixth round of the
2014 NFL draft, the only punter selected in the draft, and the first punter selected by the Bears since
Todd Sauerbrun in 1996. In his rookie season in 2014, O'Donnell finished with 71 punts for 3,107 net yards for a 43.8 average. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In the 2015 season, O'Donnell punted 70 times for 3097 yards with 28 punts landing in the red zone with only four touchbacks. He ended the year with a net punting average of 39.6, the second-highest in team history since the stat began to be recorded in . In 2016, O'Donnell finished with 68 punts for 2,994 net yards for a 44.0 average. In Week 5 of the 2017 season against the
Minnesota Vikings, he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to
Benny Cunningham on a fake. Later in the year, O'Donnell served as
kickoff specialist against the
San Francisco 49ers while kicker
Cairo Santos was nursing a groin injury. O'Donnell finished 2017 with 87 punts for 4,097 net yards for a 47.0 average. On March 15, 2018, O'Donnell signed a one-year contract extension with the Bears worth $1.5 million. After his contract expired following the 2018 season, O'Donnell received a two-year extension on March 18, 2019. Early in the 2019 season, O'Donnell served as kickoff specialist for the second time in Week 3 against the
Washington Redskins with
Eddy Piñeiro treating a knee injury. O'Donnell was also the backup kicker (with backup quarterback
Chase Daniel serving as his holder), though Piñeiro kicked through his injury in the game. O'Donnell ended 2019 with a net punting average of 40.7 yards, setting the team record previously held by
Adam Podlesh (40.4 in 2011). O'Donnell signed a one-year contract extension with the Bears on March 12, 2021. As of 2021's NFL offseason, O'Donnell held at least two Bears franchise records, including: • Most Yards / Punt (career): 45.0 • Most Yards / Punt (season): 46.98 (2017)
Green Bay Packers (first stint) On March 18, 2022, O'Donnell signed a two-year contract with the
Green Bay Packers. He was named NFC Special Teams player of the week for his Week 3 performance against the Buccaneers in a narrow 14–12 victory, having seven punts with the longest 63 yards and an average of 48.4. Five of them landed inside the 20-yard line, the most for any of the team's punters in a game since 1976. On August 28, 2023, O’Donnell was released by the Packers.
Atlanta Falcons On October 28, 2023, O'Donnell was signed to the
Atlanta Falcons practice squad, and elevated for Week 8. He was released two days later, then re-signed on December 22. O'Donnell was signed to the active roster that same day. He was released again on December 26.
Green Bay Packers (second stint) On January 20, 2024, O'Donnell was signed to the Packers practice squad. He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.
San Francisco 49ers in 2024 On November 13, 2024, O'Donnell was signed to the
San Francisco 49ers practice squad. On November 16, O'Donnell was promoted to the active roster.
Arizona Cardinals On October 10, 2025, O'Donnell signed with the
Arizona Cardinals. He was released by the Cardinals on November 18. ==Career statistics==