If Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are going to be better in 2026 on the defensive side of the ball, they are going to need someone to step up, and former fifth-round pick (144th overall in 2024) Austin Booker has shown evidence that he is on the verge of doing just that.
It is no secret that the Bears are banking on internal improvements to elevate their meager pass rush. Booker started nine of the 10 games that he played in last season.
Moreover, his 4.5 sacks only told part of the story for the young pass rusher.
Austin Booker Could Be on Verge of Breakout Season
Bears Need Austin Booker to Avoid Penalties & Injuries
Booker finished with the third-most sacks on the Bears in 2025. That was behind only fellow defensive end Montez Sweat and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. That was despite Booker not seeing the field until Week 9 due to injuries.
He had 1.0 sacks through his first six outings, and he notched that during his debut outing.
Booker finished strong, with 3.5 sacks in a three-game span from Week 15 through Week 17, but he still finished more games without a sack (4) than with (6).
And yet, Booker led the Bears in pressures per game with 1.8, per Pro Football Reference. That was good for 30th in the league among players who logged double-digit games played during the regular season.
Booker tied for the fifth-most and was one of nine players with at least 1.0 hurries per game.
The Bears need Booker to finish more of the plays he is already impacting and to avoid the penalties that have worked against him, sometimes in critical moments.
They also need him to stay on the field. The two sides are off to an encouraging start in that regard this offseason. Booker was present during the Bears’ organized team activities practice session that was open to the media on Thursday.
That is more than can be said for Sweat or the others the Bears are counting on at EDGE.
Bears’ Plan Gets Off to Noteworthy Start
Dayo Odeyingbo, whom the Bears signed in free agency last offseason, and Shemar Turner–the 62nd overall pick of the 2025 draft–were absent as they recover from injuries.
There is no reason to believe Sweat’s absence was due to anything concerning. But it was an inauspicious start to a polarizing plan for the Bears. They have put the onus on the coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, to improve the pass rush just as much as the players.
That is difficult to do with players who are not around or on the practice field.
The Bears went through injury concerns at corner last offseason, and they ultimately led the NFL in interceptions. They would surely take a similar outcome from their pass rush in 2026.
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