The Bears have only recently added interior depth via Jordan van den Berg and undrafted rookie Jayden Loving, signaling a possible preference to address the D-line in the upcoming season’s depth chart rather than pursue a flood of impact players in 2026. With the edge rush currently thinner, the Bears may rely on players like Shemar Turner, Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and Dayo Odeyingbo (the latter coming off an Achilles injury) to contribute in 2026. Potential free-agent pass-rush options worth considering include Jadeveon Clowney, Cameron Jordan, and Joey Bosa, all expected to be available on short-term deals.
Key highlights:
– Calais Campbell as a high-value, one-year defensive tackle option with strong run defense and pass-rush numbers.
– Bears’ defense ranked poorly in pass rush and run defense last season, creating a clear need on both interior and edge fronts.
– Current depth additions include Jordan van den Berg and Jayden Loving, with continued attention to edge-rusher targets as 2026 approaches.
– Internal and external free-agent options for edge-rush to address cap-friendly, short-term contributions.
Key Takeaways:
– The Bears are likely to pursue a disruptive defensive line upgrade via a mix of veteran interior presence (Campbell) and strategic edge-rush additions.
– Short-term contracts are favored to avoid long-term commitments while improving run defense and pass rush.
– Expect further moves in 2026 to fortify both interior and edge positions, balancing immediate needs with future depth.
