The Chicago Bears are in the middle of an important 2026 offseason that’s included some big moves, including trading wide receiver DJ Moore, releasing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, the shocking retirement of center Drew Dalman and most recently a trade for center Garrett Bradbury.
With free agency just around the corner, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has already started overhauling the roster. But there’s still some work to do on defense, including addressing the pass rush, safety with Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker hitting free agency and linebacker after Edmunds’ release.
Ahead of free agency, we’re doing our best to predict what the Bears defense could look like heading into the 2026 season, including some potential free-agent moves. When looking at these projections on defense, the Bears have plenty of work to do across the board on defense, be it for starters or depth.
DE Montez Sweat
While the pass rush notably struggled, Montez Sweat had a bounce-back year after a disappointing 2024 season. Sweat recorded double-digit sacks for the first time with the Bears (he totaled 12.5 between Chicago and Washington when the Commanders traded him in 2023). He also totaled 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, 53 pressures, three forced fumbles and five pass breakups. While Sweat wasn’t a superstar at the position, he was consistent and was easily the best part of Chicago’s struggling pass rush. He could certainly benefit from another big name opposite him.
DE Dayo Odeyingbo
Jeremy Fowler indicated that the Bears aren’t looking to make a splash at edge rusher in free agency, so for the time being, Dayo Odeyingbo is penciled in as the starter opposite Sweat, although Austin Booker could challenge him. This could also change heading into the NFL draft, which features a deep group of edge rushers who could slide into that role. Odeyingbo was a non-factor in Dennis Allen’s defense last season, but GM Ryan Poles has sang his praises this offseason as he works to get back to form.
DT Gervon Dexter
Right now, Gervon Dexter is the best defensive tackle the Bears have, and he’ll need a big season in what’s a contract year for the former second-round pick. Last season, Dexter tallied a career-best six sacks, ending the season in total pressures (22) and hits (11) along to go along with 26 hurries. That’s the kind of production Chicago needs from its interior linemen to provide a boost for the pass rush. Dexter wasn’t elite by any means, but he still had his moments.
DT Grady Jarrett
The Bears bet big on Grady Jarrett last offseason, signing him to a multi-year deal to shore up the interior defensive line, but he had an overall disappointing season in 2025. Jarrett played in 14 of 17 regular-season games and both postseason contests, but he didn’t really make an impact as an interior pass rusher (3.0 sacks) or run defender. His biggest impact game in the locker room, but that might not be enough to retain a starting job when if Chicago upgrades at the position.
LB T.J. Edwards
The Bears signed T.J. Edwards to a two-year contract extension last April, keeping him in Chicago through 2027, but he didn’t live up to it during the 2025 season. Edwards missed most of the season due to injuries, but he started all 10 games he played in and logged 67 tackles, an interception and 0.5 sack. Edwards suffered a fractured fibula in Chicago’s wild-card win over the Packers, which will sideline him for most of the offseason, but he’s on track to return in 2026. Although he’ll have a new running mate alongside him.
LB Alex Anzalone
After releasing Tremaine Edmunds, which freed up $15 million in salary cap space, the Bears have a starting linebacker job to fill. There are some internal options, including last year’s fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite and Noah Sewell. But there are some other options in free agency and the NFL draft. One name that’s been linked to the Bears is Alex Anzalone, who played for Dennis Allen in New Orleans and also was with the Lions during Ben Johnson’s time as offensive coordinator. Anzalone would be a more affordable option for Chicago at an important position.
CB Jaylon Johnson
The Bears were without their star cornerback for most of the 2025 season after suffering a groin injury before training camp and led to him suffering a new groin injury in Week 2 that held him out until November. When Johnson did return to the field (he played in seven games), it was clear that he wasn’t healthy but trying everything to be there for his team amid the playoff hunt. Johnson admitted that he wasn’t 100 percent, and that it was going to take time, but he did improve and looked like himself at times during the final stretch of the season and the postseason. The hope is he’ll be able to rest up and return to his Pro Bowl form in 2026.
CB Tyrique Stevenson
Nahshon Wright had a Pro Bowl year for the Bears, but he’s expected to depart in free agency and earn a nice pay day. While cornerback is a need this offseason, it’s near the bottom of a lengthy list. So, for now, Tyrique Stevenson is penciled in as the starter opposite Johnson on the outside, although there are questions about whether he can be trusted as the long-term option. There will be opportunities to upgrade in free agency and the NFL draft, as well as some internal players who could compete for the starting job. But Stevenson gets the nod for now.
NCB Kyler Gordon
Like Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon missed most of the 2025 season due to injury. In fact, he spent two different stints on injured reserve (at the start of 2025 and then midway through). It was disappointing after the Bears rewarded Gordon with a lucrative three-year, $40 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid slot cornerback at the time. When on the field, Gordon has been a game-changer for this defense. But that was the issue as he appeared in just three games this season. He’s going to need to focus on conditioning this offseason with the hopes of playing his first full season in Year 5.
S Kevin Byard
Kevin Byard had one of the best seasons of his career 10 years in, and he proved to be a perfect fit in Dennis Allen’s defense. He led the NFL in interceptions (7) while leading a defense that also led the league in takeaways (33). Byard, a team captain, played a key role in a bend-don’t-break secondary that was hampered by injuries. He was named First-Team All-Pro while also earning a Pro Bowl nod. GM Ryan Poles indicated he’d like to re-sign Byard, and Byard also has an interest in returning. We’ll see if they can get a deal done heading into free agency.
S TBA (Future Rookie)
Chicago has zero safeties on the roster right now, and they have two starting jobs to fill. Assuming the Bears re-sign Kevin Byard, they’ll likely focus on pairing him with a top rookie prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. There are some notable options who have been linked to Chicago, including Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman and LSU’s A.J. Haulcy. The Bears secured an additional second-round pick this year after dealing receiver D.J. Moore, and it could be used on a safety.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Predicting the Bears’ 2026 starting defense ahead of free agency
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
