ESPN’s Matt Bowen lists Trey Hendrickson as the top available pass rusher among early-offseason options, noting his relentless edge presence and a recent run of productive seasons. Bowen highlighted Hendrickson’s ability to affect games late in downs, pointing to his 17.5 sacks and 65 pressures in 2024 as league highs. The Bears would gain an immediate upgrade on the defensive line with a player of Hendrickson’s caliber.
Chicago’s defense faces a clear upside case after finishing last season with 35 sacks and ranking 31st in pass-rush win rate at just under 29 percent. While the Bears don’t need to overspend in free agency, adding a premier edge rusher remains a priority to complement a revamped offensive line and wide receiver corps earlier in the 2024-25 cycle.
Contract projections suggest Hendrickson could be a short-term solution for a Bears team still navigating rookie-scale deals at key positions. Spotrac’s baseline estimate runs about two years for roughly $51 million total (roughly $25.5 million per year), with other outlets envisioning a three-year arrangement. If Chicago signs Hendrickson to a three-year deal with a two-year guarantee, the team could preserve substantial flexibility through the early part of its championship timeline.
If Hendrickson lands elsewhere, Chicago has credible alternatives to target in free agency. Bowen’s rankings include Jaelan Phillips (No. 5) and Odafe Oweh (No. 9) as potential fits. Depending on how the draft unfolds, NFL analysts like Daniel Jeremiah project five edge rushers to come off the board before the Bears’ No. 25 pick, which could shift focus toward the secondary. Jeremiah suggested the Bears could target safety Dillon Thieneman, while NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks predicted they fortify the interior with defensive tackle Kayden McDaniel to address the run defense.
