Bears Face Tough Decision on Dayo Odeyingbo After Disappointing 2025 Season
The Chicago Bears took a major step forward in 2025, but not every move from the front office hit the mark. One that clearly missed was the signing of defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million deal - a contract that, in hindsight, feels more like a misstep than a masterstroke.
Odeyingbo was brought in to be the bookend opposite Montez Sweat, a pairing that, on paper, promised a dangerous pass rush duo. But the reality didn’t come close to matching the expectations.
In just eight games before suffering a season-ending injury, Odeyingbo managed only 10 pressures, seven hurries, and a single sack. For a player expected to be a high-impact starter, that production simply wasn’t enough - especially at that price tag.
Now, the Bears are reportedly exploring ways to move on. According to conversations coming out of Super Bowl week, the team is considering an injury settlement that would allow them to part ways with Odeyingbo.
The logic is sound: he didn’t perform in 2025, he’s recovering from a significant injury, and while he’s owed guaranteed money in 2026, there’s no financial commitment beyond that. If they can reach a settlement, it might be the cleanest way to move forward.
Let’s be honest - this was a gamble from the start. Odeyingbo’s resume featured one standout season in 2023 with eight sacks, but outside of that, he’d totaled just 9.5 sacks across four other seasons.
The consistency just wasn’t there, and the Bears took a risk hoping he’d blossom in a new environment. That bet didn’t pay off.
After Odeyingbo went down, rookie Austin Booker stepped in and gave the Bears some reason for optimism. Coming off his own injury, Booker showed enough to earn a full-time role down the stretch.
He’s raw, but the tools are there. Still, the Bears' pass rush as a whole struggled - just 35 sacks on the year, with Sweat accounting for 10 of them.
That’s a number that needs to climb if Chicago wants to stay competitive in a division loaded with quarterback talent.
Financially, cutting ties with Odeyingbo now might sting in the short term. But with no guaranteed money on the books for 2027, this is a chance for the Bears to reset at the position.
It could mean shelving dreams of landing a top-tier edge rusher like Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby in free agency, but the upcoming draft class offers depth and upside. There’s talent to be developed - and the Bears have shown they’re not afraid to trust their scouting and coaching staff to bring that talent along.
For GM Ryan Poles, this is a moment to correct course. Every front office has a few misses; what matters is how you respond.
Odeyingbo didn’t work out, but holding onto a mistake out of stubbornness helps no one. The Bears have a chance to move forward, open up a roster spot, and invest in someone who fits the future of this defense.
Chicago fans have every reason to want this chapter closed. Now it’s on the front office to turn the page.