The Chicago Bears have had a great 2026 offseason, retooling the defense and shuffling their offensive weapons to give Ben Johnson's unit a bit more of an obvious focus. However, there is still one clear weakness that fans and pundits could be underrating, and that is a lack of a secondary pass-rushing option. Star edge rusher Montez Sweat is the only Bears player you can point to as a reliable threat off the edge, with Chicago's remaining options each coming with their fair share of question marks.
It is a weakness that can still be addressed, whether by a surprise trade or by looking at remaining veteran options in free agency. Both avenues should be explored as we head into OTAs and the need becomes all the more glaring. If the season were to start today, it would be Sweat coming off one end and Austin Booker coming off the other, with Daniel Hardy and Dayo Odeyingbo serving as the team's rotational options.
None of this trio is proven pass rushing commodities, coming with questions that should demand that Chicago take action. This isn't just about winning games in September, but building a team that can make a playoff run deep into January.
Bears Have Obvious Remaining Weakness Needing Pass Rushing Depth
In today's league, you need a pass-rushing rotation that has a high level of capability if you want a chance to make a Super Bowl run. The last two champions are great examples of this, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks both winning a Super Bowl, with the game's performance being defined by defensive units that didn't let the opposing quarterback ever get comfortable.
The only way to cover for not having this level of pass rush is a generational quarterback talent capable of picking up the slack offensively. While Caleb Williams appears to be walking this path, there is no reason the Bears should avoid making things easier by improving a clear weakness as we head into the summer.
Another piece of this is the fact that adding to the position is going to allow Sweat to have far more consistent production as well. As things currently stand, the defender is the only Chicago player that opposing offensive lines are going to fear coming off the edge. Changing this sets up Sweat for a better season and to face less attention week in and week out.
With this in mind, Chicago's front office needs to grow a bit more aggressive in looking for potential fits in the remaining market. It is the one clear weakness that could hold this Chicago roster back from reaching its full potential and having the best chance to make a deep January run.
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