The Chicago Bears face significant questions about their pass rush as they prepare for the 2026 season, having not selected an edge rusher in the NFL Draft. The team is counting on returning players Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner to strengthen their defense.
Key points
Chicago Bears did not select an edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft
Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner are returning healthy
Coaching staff emphasizes urgency in improving the defense
Concerns persist about the effectiveness of the pass rush
Mentioned in this story
Ben JohnsonDennis Allen
Jordan van den BergChicago Bears
Pass rush remains a big question for Bears heading into 2026
The Chicago Bears' offseason program is in full swing, where the focus shifts towards the march to training camp and the 2026 season. But there are still questions for the Bears about their pass rush, especially after they did not select an edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft. The only defensive lineman they did select was Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round.
This season, Chicago is expected to get back Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner at full health, two players that the coaching staff and front office expect to be big contributors in an effort to turn around the defense. Both head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen have been open about their urgency in turning around the defense, but many outside pundits have questions about Chicago's overall pass rush.
Recently, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports wrote about the very topic of Chicago's defense, feeling that there are some notable veteran names that can help turn around the pass rush in the Windy City.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
Q&A
Why did the Chicago Bears not select an edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bears chose not to select an edge rusher, focusing instead on other positions, which has raised concerns about their pass rush.
Who are the key players returning to the Bears' defense for the 2026 season?
Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner are expected to return at full health and are anticipated to be significant contributors to the Bears' defense.
What are the concerns regarding the Bears' pass rush heading into 2026?
Analysts and pundits are questioning the effectiveness of the Bears' pass rush due to the lack of new edge rushers and the overall performance of the defense.
What does the Bears' coaching staff say about improving the defense for 2026?
Head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen have expressed urgency in improving the defense, particularly the pass rush.
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The Bears have kept the status quo at edge rusher this offseason, not bringing in a player via free agency or the draft. This comes after a 2025 season where the defense ranked in the bottom half of the league in sacks and pressure rate, so this does feel like an area of the depth chart that still needs to be addressed. While the top-tier free agents have already signed, there are some notable names still lingering on the open market, including Joey Bosa and Jadeveon Clowney. Either one of those players could be an option to bolster the unit.
As a team, Chicago totaled 35 sacks on opposing quarterbacks last season, which was the seventh fewest. Montez Sweat leading the way with 10 sacks of his own, but he was the only Bears player to reach double digit sack numbers. Pairing up any sort resemblance of a high-level pass rushing duo with Sweat and someone else would be big for the Bears defense as they look to clean up a lot of their holes from last season, despite leading the NFL in takeaways (33).