The Chicago Bears' pass rush left plenty to be desired last season. Montez Sweat was the lone bright spot, but he can only do so much on his own. That's why they were tied to multiple edge rushers for most of the pre-draft process.
Instead, general manager Ryan Poles took TE Sam Roush and WR Zavion Thomas, and while they added some pieces to their defense, they still haven't addressed their need for another bona fide pass rusher.
That's why watching Dante Fowler Jr. sign with the Seattle Seahawks may have rubbed some fans the wrong way. Even the reigning Super Bowl champions, who also have a stacked pass rushing unit are making moves, and the Bears are running out of options.
The Bears must add a veteran pass rusher to the mix
As things stand now, Sweat is the only reliable headhunter on the team. Dayo Odeyingbo might not be healthy to start the season, and even if he is, he's not a difference-maker. Austin Booker might turn the corner in year 3, but trusting a former fifth-round pick to become a star overnight is just not realistic.
Granted, Fowler Jr. might not be at the peak of his powers anymore, but he would've been an upgrade over what Dennis Allen has in his hands right now. Moreover, it would've been better to roll the dice on him than not do anything at all.
With the dust settling on the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bears don't have a ton of options to choose from right now. They can give Von Miller a farewell tour, but he played roughly 40 percent of the defensive snaps last season.
They can also consider Joey Bosa, who has been healthy for most of the past couple of years and should still have plenty left in the tank. Nevertheless, he might also be a little too pricey, with Spotrac projecting his market value at $13.7 million a year.
That leaves the Bears with either Haason Reddick, whose production has taken a downturn in recent years, or Cameron Johnson, who's more than familiar with Dennis Allen's defensive system and is coming off turning back the clock last season.
Whatever the case, this team can't afford to roll into next season with this unit. The NFC North is absolutely brutal, and the Bears will face a tougher schedule after winning the division in the first year of the Ben Johnson era.
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