The Chicago Bears' pass rush woes are well-documented, and with good reason. Last season, they finished with the seventh-fewest sacks in the league, a stark reminder of the importance of a strong pass rush in today's NFL. Among the players tasked with leading this charge was Montez Sweat, who led the team with 10.0 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits. However, the lack of depth behind Sweat was concerning, as no other defensive end on the team reached even half his sack total. This is where the three-man competition comes in, a strategic move by the Bears to identify the player who will step up and fill the void.
The first contender is Dayo Odeyingbo, who signed a three-year, $48MM contract last year. Odeyingbo's journey to the starting position was not without its hurdles. He started eight games for the Bears last season before suffering a torn Achilles tendon, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Before that, he had shown promise in his first year with the team, notching a sack, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits in his debut. However, his production tailed off after that, with only one more tackle for loss and two more quarterback hits over the next seven weeks. Despite this, the Bears are optimistic about his return and are giving him another chance to prove himself.
The second contender is Austin Booker, who was tabbed as a breakout candidate before the 2025 season. However, a knee injury in the preseason put him on injured reserve for the first eight weeks of the season. Booker made a smooth transition into the starting lineup for the second half of the season, notching 4.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits in 10 games. His performance was promising, but the question remains: can he build on that momentum and become a consistent force in the pass rush?
The third contender is Shemar Turner, a rookie second-rounder who debuted in the third week of the season. Turner split his time between the edge and interior positions in a rotational role off the bench, but his production was limited before he tore his ACL the week before Odeyingbo's injury. Upon his return from injury, the Bears intend to continue working him in an edge role, which could be a strategic move given his potential.
The Bears' decision to hold a three-man competition is intriguing, especially given their lack of depth at the position. They didn't make any moves in the draft or free agency to supplement the group, which suggests they feel confident in the players they have. However, if Odeyingbo's return in camp doesn't inspire confidence, the Bears may become a potential destination for one of several veteran free agent pass rushers on the market. This raises a deeper question: are the Bears willing to invest in a proven pass rusher, or are they confident in the players they have?
From my perspective, the three-man competition is a smart move by the Bears. It allows them to assess the players' potential and determine who will step up and contribute to the pass rush. However, it also raises a concern: if none of the players step up, the Bears may be left with a weak pass rush once again. This is a risk they are willing to take, but it remains to be seen if it will pay off.
One thing that immediately stands out is the importance of depth at the defensive end position. The Bears' lack of depth was a significant factor in their pass rush woes last season, and it's a concern that needs to be addressed. The three-man competition is a step in the right direction, but it's just the beginning. The Bears need to continue to evaluate and develop their players, and they need to be prepared to make moves in the draft or free agency if necessary.
In my opinion, the Bears' pass rush is a work in progress. They have the potential to be a force in the pass rush, but they need to address their depth concerns and continue to develop their players. The three-man competition is a smart move, but it's just the first step in a longer journey to improve their pass rush. The Bears have the talent and the potential, but they need to stay focused and continue to work hard to achieve their goals.
