Arguably, the biggest remaining concern for the Chicago Bears is who is going to step up alongside Montez Sweat and provide a consistent edge presence. If the season started today, there is a clear lack of a second established option that leaves Chicago fans wondering how consistent the pass rush might be. This is a concern that Austin Booker is doing his best to answer with OTAs underway and the defender getting off to what has been an incredible start.
Booker looks noticeably stronger and appears to have added size in the offseason, and is utilizing this to his advantage as we head into the summer. There has also been consistent attention from coaches and pundits pointing to the edge rusher making an early positive impression as we continue to work closer to the 2026 season.
It makes sense that year three could be the moment that Booker takes a leap, as the fifth-round pick has been slowly developed and not relied on as heavily as he could be in the 2026 season. Still, there have been encouraging signs with 323 pass-rushing snaps played and 29 pressures to show for his efforts. While the results were far from elite, there was a clear sense of growth that left fans wondering about Booker's potential ceiling.
Bears Could Find Pass Rusing Answers in Austin Booker After Impressive OTAs Start
Booker added in a forced fumble and had 4.5 sacks, a three-sack leap from a rookie season that wasn't anything to write home about. Still, this is a second straight year that Booker has shown clear progress heading into a season, leaving reason to wonder if the answer to Chicago's biggest remaining defensive concern might already be on the roster.
This isn't to say Chicago shouldn't be actively exploring other additions, with there being no such thing as too much of a pass rush. Rather, it is pointing out the reality of how great Booker has looked in OTAs and the fact that the pass rusher could prove to be a surprise answer if the franchise is going to roll with its current options.
For Booker, there is an understanding of the clear opportunity that lies ahead, with the uncertainty around the position opening up a chance for the edge rusher to start. Not only is this a huge step forward in his career for the 2026 season, but it sets the defender up to possibly cash in with a big season, demanding the Bears consider an extension or handing Booker the chance to cash in on free agency at the conclusion of the following season. No matter how it plays out, there is no questioning that Booker is off to a fantastic start and appears to be a potential answer.
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