When the Chicago Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo to a $48 million contract in free agency during the 2025 offseason, surely neither they nor he foresaw a first season that would amount to 1.0 sack in eight games.
A ruptured Achilles tendon cut Odeyingbo’s inaugural Bears campaign short.
He returned to the practice field during the Bears’ offseason program, but he took another significant step in the Bears’ preseason opener.
Dayo Odeyingbo Reflects After Bears Preseason Opener
Bears’ Dayo Odeyingbo Checks Off Major Milestone
With Montez Sweat inactive, Odeyingbo started the Bears’ preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns. He played 12 snaps, recording 1 total tackle before giving way to Daniel Hardy and one of the game’s standouts, Jamree Kromah.
Odeyingbo also accomplished something that the stat sheet could not quite quantify, though.
“It just felt good to just be a part of the team. Obviously, I’ve been a part of the team. But on game day–last year I wasn’t even able to come to the game,” Odeyingbo told Clocker Sports postgame. “It was just fun to be able to be out there, play some snaps, and then be, even just be on the sideline and watch the guys, cheer with the guys. So, that was great.”
Odeyingbo spoke with the media well ahead of his return to game action. He said he heard the jokes about his motivation, noting that he largely ignored them and did not need external fire.
After the game, he spoke candidly about the game being a different step entirely.
“Obviously practice is part of getting you back. We’ve been in camp for a little over two weeks now. So, that’s been great to be able to get back to playing football that way,” Odeyingbo told Clocker Sports.
“But being out, suiting up game day, going through the whole process is like–being in front of the fans–it’s a different experience. So, I was ready to be back out there.”
Even for a preseason game, it was significant.
“It felt great. Obviously, every game, it might not count, but every game matters. You know what I’m saying? So, it was great to be able to go out there. Go out there, play, and then watch young guys make plays, and fly around, and have fun. So, it was just a great experience overall.
Dayo Odeyingbo Looking to ‘Grow as a Player’
As for what comes next, Odeyingbo told Clocker Sports, “Just continue to rise. Continuing to grow in the defense, grow as a player, and get back to where I want to be.”
Odeyingbo had never played in fewer than 10 games before the 2025 season.
A former second-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts, he also had not had fewer than 3.0 sacks in a single season since recording just 0.5 sacks as a rookie. He set a career high with 8.0 sacks just two years ago.
The Bears and Odeyingbo are hoping he recaptures that spark, lest they take advantage of there being no guaranteed money left on his deal after this coming season.
That is a 2027 concern, though. The Bears want to conquer 2026, and Odeyingbo can help.
His next test will be against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 of the preseason. That could also reveal if Odeyingbo, who said this was his second ruptured Achilles, remains a starter with Sweat back practicing. Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that will depend on the joint practice on Thursday.
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