The 2025 season was one to remember for the Chicago Bears as head coach Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams got the team back to the postseason for the first time since 2020. While Williams got a lot of attention from the media and fans for his performance, he couldn’t do it alone.
The Bears’ rookie class stepped up big time, playing crucial snaps and having major moments throughout the year. Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, Ozzy Trapilio, Luke Newman, Kyle Monangai, and Jahdae Walker (UDFA) all shone when their number was called, which gives Bears fans a lot of hope heading into 2026.
Chicago fans were hoping that Shemar Turner, who was also drafted in the second round with Burden and Trapilio, would become an instant impact player on a Bears’ defensive line that made some additions in free agency with Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo.
However, it wasn’t in the cards for the rookie defensive tackle, which is disappointing, but also allows him to turn the page and get ready for the 2026 season.
Shemar Turner Gets Fresh Start in 2026 After Injury-Plagued Rookie Season
The 23-year-old defensive tackle didn’t make his Bears’ debut until Week 3 after missing the first two games of the season because of an ankle injury he suffered at the beginning of training camp.
Despite being sidelined for an extended period, Turner played 23 defensive snaps vs. the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. He didn’t record any tackles or sacks and was one of the Bears’ worst graded defenders, per Pro Football Focus. Turner had an overall defensive grade of 30.0, a 29.0 run defense grade, but a 59.6 pass rush grade.
The former Texas A&M suited up in the Bears’ next four games, playing 21.7% of defensive snaps, racking up a pedestrian six combined tackles and two tackles for loss. Turner’s rookie year would end unceremoniously in Week 8, when he sustained a torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve.
It was not the news Johnson or GM Ryan Poles wanted to hear, especially since they moved Turner from defensive tackle to defensive end during the Week 5 bye, likely to create more pressure from off the edge.
Luckily for the Bears, Austin Booker was coming back from injured reserve, and he gave them a nice spark for the rest of the season.
As for Turner, we haven’t heard much about his recovery and his return. However, we know that ACL injuries usually take 8-9 months to heal and recover, putting Turner’s return around June at the earliest, or July.
Nonetheless, if he’s ready to hit the ground running this upcoming summer, it will be interesting to see where the Bears slot Turner at. They could put him back at his original position at DT to back up Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter.
The Bears could opt to stick Turner at defensive end, as they don’t have much of a pass-rush presence outside of Montez Sweat and Austin Booker. According to Pro Football Focus, Turner had a 51.4 pass rush grade, which isn’t great. But it could be something to build on, as he was known for quickness, athleticism, and versatility coming out of Texas A&M.
Given the Bears’ issues in generating constant pressure, putting Turner at defensive end might be the best route, which could help him make a huge impact in 2026.