The Chicago Bears have seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and edge rusher help is one of the biggest needs on the team. After being tied for 28th in the NFL in team sacks (35), pass rush help is at the top of the list.
With the Bears expected to make some additions to that room in less than a week, that puts Dayo Odeyingbo in a difficult spot. And that comes one year after he signed a three-year, $48 million deal in free agency last March. His season ended after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
That will impact his start of the 2026 season, and with the team needing juice off the edge, the writing seems to be on the wall that the Bears will add an edge rusher high in the draft, making things difficult for Odeyingbo.
Bears Will Likely Put Dayo Odeyingbo on Thin Ice
Before going down, Odeyingbo wasn't making much of an impact. In eight games, he recorded 21 total tackles, 4 QB hits, 10 pressures, 7 hurries, and one sack. On Pro Football Focus, he had an overall grade of 53.5 (102nd among 115 graded edge rushers), a pass-rush grade of 57.0 (96th among 115 graded edge rushers), and a run-defense grade of 53.2 (97th among 115 graded edge rushers).
He wasn't effective, and with him coming off a major injury, the Bears will seek to add more playmakers up front. The Chicago Bears website released an article with 15 analysts predicting who they believe Chicago will take, and seven of them had them taking an edge. Zion Young of Missouri was the favorite and seems to be a consistent player who's being mocked to the Bears.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler released his draft guide. In there, he broke down Young and wrote, "Young is a tad rigid as a pass rusher and doesn’t have ideal cornering speed, but he is long, strong, and determined with hand usage to force his way through blockers. As a run defender, his play recognition and full-extension physicality blossomed as a senior."
In his senior season with the Missouri Tigers, he had 42 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Young would provide Chicago with a Day 1 contributor who would give them some juice off the edge. They also brought him in for a top 30 visit, showcasing that they have a serious interest in him.
Clemson edge T.J. Parker is another name that has been floated to Chicago and has the potential to be a force at the next level. In Brugler's takeaway, he wrote, "Parker is still learning how to unlock counter maneuvers, but he offers a reliable foundation built on leveraged power and a consistent motor that helps him make plays as a rusher and run defender."
In 39 collegiate games with the Tigers, he had 126 total tackles, six forced fumbles, 41.5 tackles for loss, and 21.5 sacks.
Parker has room to grow, but could be another option for the Bears to consider at No. 25. It's no secret that Chicago needs to improve upfront, and when they do select someone, it will put Odeyingbo in a sticky situation.
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