Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles took a polarizing approach this offseason, remaking the team’s secondary and shaking up the linebacker and cornerback rooms via the draft and free agency.
However, a defensive line that was a source of consternation last season remained untouched at the top with only depth additions, and even those came on the interior rather than EDGE.
Despite that, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s group could be poised for a bounce-back.
Bears Get Compelling Argument for Defensive Bounce-Back
Bears’ Dennis Allen Could See Turnaround in 2026
The Bears ranked 29th overall and 23rd in scoring on defense in 2025, but they overcame their flaws by leading the NFL in takeaways, specifically interceptions.
This offseason, the lack of additions to the front have overshadowed what the Bears did elsewhere, leading to outside concerns that they will not be much better than they were last season, only without such tremendous turnover luck.
The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen dissected the Bears’ “two different defenses” in 2025.
“Their early-down defense and their third-down defense,” Nguyen wrote on July 1. “They ranked 25th in defensive EPA per snap on first and second down, but ranked seventh on third down. The Bears ranked second on third-and-fourth down with more than seven yards to the first-down marker. The reason was simple: they struggled mightily to stop the run. They ranked 26th in defensive rushing success rate and 27th in explosive rush rate allowed.”
Nguyen argued that Allen showed “ingenuity with his disguises and pressures” when presented with opportunities, but those were few and far between due to their porousness on the ground.
The Bears ranked 25th in defensive DVOA, per Nguyen.
“Have the Bears done enough to shore up the run defense?” Nguyen wrote, lamenting the lack of upgrades up front–specifically with starters Gervon Dexter Sr. and Grady Jarrett–but commending those made on the back end.
“The weakness at defensive tackle will likely prevent them from being a high-level run defense, but the surrounding pieces could be enough to at least make them average,” Nguyen wrote. “That would be a force multiplier for them with how good Allen is as a play caller in passing situations.”
Nguyen cited the Bears allowing the sixth-highest explosive run rate in 2025. He expects a return to health from Kyler Gordon, plus additions like Coby Bryant and Devin Bush to pay dividends.
Bears’ ‘Worst’ Offseason Decision Looms Large
Nguyen noted that Austin Booker continues to show flashes as a pass rusher, anticipating a “breakout season.” He could develop into a proper bookend for Montez Sweat, who Nguyen suggested is miscast as the top pass-rushing threat. But that recalls the question of whether the Bears did enough up front to improve.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell did not think so, calling the lack of an EDGE addition their “worst” move.
“When coordinator Dennis Allen didn’t send extra pass rushers at the quarterback, the Bears ranked 30th in pressure rate (23.7%),” Barnwell wrote in May. “The draft might have been a logical place for Poles to look for a solution, but the Bears didn’t add anybody to help out on the edge. Chicago also hasn’t signed anyone there in free agency.”
Barnwell noted that the Bears did not get much from Dayo Odeyingbo on the edge or Jarrett inside. Both endured injury-marred first seasons in Chicago.
Both are healthy heading into training camp. Whether that is enough remains to be seen, and the Bears could always bring in a veteran to begin camp. That is something they have done in years past.
History Suggests Bears Likely to Make Roster Move Soon
It is almost certain that the Bears will announce a signing when they open camp later this month. They signed edge defender Tanoh Kpassagnon and cornerback Tre Flowers last year. In 2024, the Bears brought in Javin White.
They added fellow linebacker Buddy Johnson and wideout Isaiah Ford in 2023. The Bears added offensive linemen Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff in 2022, Poles’ first season.
There are some options left in the free agent pool, too, if Poles and the Bears choose that route.
Leave a Reply