There’s no offseason tradition quite like Chicago Bears fans begging the front office for more help at a certain position group. Every year, it seems there is an obvious hole on the roster that must be addressed either in free agency or the draft. During the 2026 offseason, defensive line was the featured group.
The Bears exceeded expectations in 2025, going 11-6 to capture the NFC North title and even winning a playoff game. They did so in spite of their defensive line play, which failed to generate a consistent pass rush and stop the run for most of the season. Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded the Bears as the seventh-worst defensive line in the NFL last season, despite the fact general manager Ryan Poles took swings on defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo in the offseason, signing them to lucrative multi-year contracts, and drafting defensive lineman Shemar Turner in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Due to injuries and ineffectiveness, none of those three additions made a significant difference during the season, prompting calls from the fans to overhaul the group. Apparently players like Jarrett can’t help but notice the outcry.
“We all got cell phones and internet,” Jarrett said as he chuckled during his press conference at Bears OTAs. Still, he understands it’s on the players themselves to change the narrative. “We hear it, but also it comes with the job. At the end of the day, we really have to take it personal and get back to work. Sometimes, your best isn’t good enough…All we can do as a unit is look in the mirror and challenge ourselves every day to go and be better and do what we need to do to have better output.”
The Bears are banking on Jarrett, Odeyingbo, and Turner to play meaningful roles this year. They essentially have to, though, since Jarrett and Odeyingbo would total over $46 million in dead cap if they were to be cut. That’s why Poles opted to sign lower-tier players such as Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street as depth pieces during free agency.
For Jarrett specifically, he’s looking to bounce back after a knee injury limited his availability and effectiveness during the first half of the season. The former Pro Bowler had his worst season in five years, totaling 39 tackles (one for loss), 1.5 sacks, 21 total pressures, and three passes defensed. When he finally got healthy, Jarrett’s play improved and elevated the entire defensive line. But he’s also 33 years old with his best football behind him.
While Odeyingbo and Turner are still recovering from serious injuries suffered last season, Jarrett is fully healthy and is expected to lead the defensive line once again in 2026. The hope is the results are different with the same personnel; otherwise, those calls for changes will become louder and louder.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears players know fans are clamoring for more defensive line help
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
