With the 2026 NFL Draft now less than a week away, the Chicago Bears have a clear sense of what their focus should be when they are on the clock. After all, their defense was only tied for the seventh-fewest sacks last season (35), so making the pass rush a major priority is key if they want to take that next step going into the 2026 season.
Fortunately for Chicago, its biggest flaw lines up with a strength in this year's draft, as several edge rushers are projected to go in the first round. If the Bears needed an extra reminder to focus on improving their pass rush, they got it on Friday in the form of a major extension being handed out by the Houston Texans.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Texans and All-Pro edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. "have agreed on a blockbuster three-year, $150 million extension with $134 million guaranteed to make him the NFL's highest paid non-QB ever."
While the Bears could go a few different directions with their first-round pick, edge could be especially key, considering the cost involved is such a significant discount for three to four years if you land a stud, not to mention you have a fifth-year option at your disposal as well. Since that is already a need for Chicago, it may be worth taking a swing at one of the players available and seeing if that lottery ticket cashes in the future.
Bears Have Even More Incentive to Draft a Pass Rusher
Plain and simple, the Bears could not create enough consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season. Their 6.05 sack percentage ranked 23rd in the league, while Gervon Dexter Sr. (six) and Montez Sweat (10) were the only players on the team with at least five sacks. Largely due to the lack of pressure, the defense gave up 232.3 passing yards and 24.3 points per game last season, which ranked 25th and 22nd, respectively.
Chicago has seven draft picks in its war chest of assets at this time, including the No. 25 pick in the first round and a pair of selections in the second round. It would be in its best interest, though, to waste no time and use that first pick on a pass rusher, given last season's struggles and what the Texans have got from Anderson. David Bailey, Arvell Reese, and Rueben Bain, Jr. are out of the question. However, late first-round, early second-round prospects like Zion Young, Akheem Mesidor, Cashius Howell, R Mason Thomas, and T.J. Parker could easily be available when Chicago is on the clock and give the Bears some much-needed assistance in the pass rush.
For the Bears to take advantage of an offense that was clicking in Ben Johnson's first season as head coach, they have to establish a defensive identity in the trenches. If the pass rush can get after QBs more often and make it challenging to get the ball downfield, that would be a much better recipe for success.
The pass rush was already an obvious issue, but if the Bears take note of what Houston has gotten from Anderson, they should strongly consider taking a chance on whoever is still available when their pick rolls around. It paid off for Houston when it drafted Anderson, and nothing is keeping Chicago from doing the same thing as it looks to find a solid fit for its pass rush.
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