The Chicago Bears wrapped up an exciting 2025 season, but lingering issues, especially on their defensive line, threaten their chances of a deeper playoff run. Leading the charge was defensive end Montez Sweat, who accumulated 10 sacks but lacked adequate support from his teammates, contributing to the unit’s modest total of 35 sacks—ranking near the bottom among NFL teams.
Urgent Need to Reinforce Pass Rush Efforts
Heading into the 2026 offseason, shoring up the pass rush is the Bears’ top priority. Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker underscored this point, highlighting Chicago’s struggles with pressure rates and pass-rush grades. Despite a few expensive defensive linemen on the roster, the Bears finished 27th in pressure rate and 25th in pass-rush grade.
Locker noted,
“The Bears finished the season 27th in pressure rate and 25th in PFF pass-rush grade, with those results coming despite playing several high-paid defensive linemen. Montez Sweat was solid with a 13.3% pass-rush win rate and 64 pressures, but he received little help. Big-ticket edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo generated only 10 pressures before suffering a torn Achilles, while Grady Jarrett (56.9 overall PFF grade) wasn’t worth his $42.75 million deal.”
Evaluating Key Players and Potential Moves
While Montez Sweat has proven to be a reliable force, the Bears’ other pass rushers have underperformed. Dayo Odeyingbo, expected to be a vital contributor, managed only one sack in half a season before injury and has struggled to meet expectations throughout his career. Meanwhile, Grady Jarrett’s performance has not justified his high salary.
General manager Ryan Poles faces a difficult decision: whether to commit to another major acquisition or seek fresh talent through the NFL Draft, where the edge rusher class is notably strong. Speculation includes possible trade targets such as Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby, both of whom could provide the much-needed boost to the pass rush.
Locker added,
“Chicago clearly needs more juice in getting after the quarterback, but general manager Ryan Poles has already invested significant money in his defensive line. Will Poles be brave enough to swing another big deal or trade, and possibly cut bait with an underperforming player?”
Consequences for the Bears’ Super Bowl Aspirations
The Bears’ hopes to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders hinge heavily on upgrading their pass rush. Without strengthening this area, it is unlikely that Montez Sweat will receive the support needed to pressure opposing quarterbacks consistently. For a team with playoff ambitions driven by defensive performance, failure to act could stall their progress in 2026 and beyond.
