Chicago Bears Eye Boye Mafe as Potential Key to Defensive Turnaround
The Chicago Bears came within striking distance of the Super Bowl this season-just two wins shy of the big game. That’s a sentence few would’ve expected a year ago.
Head coach Ben Johnson’s first season at the helm was nothing short of transformative, injecting life into a franchise that had been stuck in neutral for far too long. The offense clicked in ways it hadn’t in years, and while it’s not yet the best unit in the league, it’s trending in that direction.
But let’s be clear: the Bears didn’t get this far on dominance alone. Too many games were decided in the final minutes, with late-game magic bailing them out.
That’s not a sustainable formula, especially when your defense-specifically the pass rush-is still very much a work in progress. That’s where this offseason becomes critical, and one potential addition could be a game-changer: Boye Mafe.
Why Mafe Makes Sense in Chicago
At first glance, Mafe might not jump off the page. A former second-round pick who started just four games last season with the Seattle Seahawks, he hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations that often come with that draft pedigree.
But context matters. Seattle’s defensive front is loaded with talent, and Mafe was caught in a numbers game more than anything else.
That limited opportunity could play right into the Bears’ hands.
Mafe’s projected market value, according to Spotrac, sits at around $8.1 million annually. That’s a two-year, $16.1 million ballpark deal-manageable even for a team like Chicago, which is currently $5.3 million over the cap. With some strategic cap-clearing moves, this is exactly the kind of high-upside, budget-friendly addition GM Ryan Poles could target.
And make no mistake: Mafe has shown flashes. In a rotational role last season, he still managed 31 total tackles (11 solo), five passes defensed, four tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery.
That’s solid production for someone who wasn’t a full-time starter. He’s not just filling space-he’s making plays when he’s on the field.
A Defense in Need of a Spark
The Bears’ defense, for all its grit, simply didn’t get home enough in 2025. They posted the second-worst pass rush win rate in the league at just 29 percent, per ESPN, and finished with only 35 sacks-seventh-fewest in the NFL. That’s not going to cut it, especially in a conference loaded with elite quarterbacks.
Mafe could be part of the solution. Over his four-year career, he’s racked up 164 total tackles, 71 pressures, 36 quarterback hits, 24 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 14 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Those aren’t just empty numbers-they speak to a player who can affect the game in multiple ways. What he may need now is a fresh start and a system that lets him pin his ears back and go.
A Crucial Offseason for Dennis Allen
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was given some grace after a rollercoaster season, but that leash won’t be long. He now has a full offseason to shape the defense in his image, and that starts with adding players who fit both his scheme and the team’s glaring needs. If the Bears are serious about taking the next step-from playoff surprise to legitimate contender-they can’t afford another year of lackluster pass rush.
Mafe isn’t a guaranteed star, but he’s the kind of player who could thrive in the right environment. And Chicago might just be that place.
The Bears have momentum, a strong offensive foundation, and a defense that’s hungry to catch up. Bringing in Mafe could be one of those under-the-radar moves that ends up paying major dividends.
In a league where pressure makes everything easier for the back end of a defense, and where games are often decided by who can disrupt the quarterback, the Bears have no choice but to get better up front. Mafe might not be the final piece, but he could be a critical one.