Chicago’s 2025 season was promising in many areas, but the pass rush never fully clicked despite high-level investments along the line. The Bears finished tied for 22nd in sacks (35) and posted the league’s second-worst pass-block win rate at 29%, per ESPN Analytics.
cap constraints complicate options. The Bears must clear roughly $18 million to reach a basic break-even in 2026, with closer to $22 million needed to sign their draft class and cover other expenses. Three top defensive linemen—Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Grady Jarrett—account for a large portion of cap hits and are not easily moved.
One potential fit for a modest price tag is Broncos edge rusher Franklin-Myers, who has produced 14.5 sacks and 92 pressures over the past two seasons. Spotrac’s projections place him around $7.9 million per year on a next contract, following a two-year, $15 million pact in Denver. Chicago could plausibly target a two-year deal in the mid-to-high teens in total value if the fit is right.
Still, the Bears may prefer to wait for the 2026 NFL draft to bolster their front seven. With the No. 25 overall pick, Chicago could leverage a strong DL class to land Day 1 starters in rounds 2 or 3, at either edge or interior positions. Mock drafts have varied targets, from Clemson’s T.J. Parker and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell on the edge to Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald and Florida’s Caleb Banks along the interior.
In summary, Chicago’s cap reality makes a big free-agent splurge unlikely, but Franklin-Myers remains a feasible option if the price aligns with their budget. More plausibly, the Bears could ride the strength of the 2026 draft to address defensive-line needs, while keeping an eye on any affordable opportunities that could arise with the Broncos’ market dynamics.
