Bears’ Blueprint for 2026: Why a Dominant Pass Rush Has to Be Priority No. 1
For Bears fans, the phrase "defense wins championships" isn’t just a cliché-it’s a part of the franchise's DNA. It echoes from the glory days of the '85 squad and resonates with every hard-nosed, blue-and-orange Sunday at Soldier Field. But for younger fans, that mantra took on a new life after watching Seattle’s defense dismantle New England in a 29-13 Super Bowl rout.
Seattle’s performance was a masterclass in defensive disruption: eight forced punts, six sacks, and three takeaways. The Patriots didn’t even sniff the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.
It was the kind of defensive dominance that turns games-and seasons-on their heads. And for the Bears, who had a strong 11-6 campaign capped by an NFC North title and a playoff win over Green Bay, it was a not-so-subtle reminder of what’s still missing in Chicago: a consistent, game-wrecking pass rush.
Chicago's Sack Numbers Tell the Story
Let’s get right to it-35 sacks over 17 games just isn’t going to cut it. That total put the Bears in the bottom third of the league, ahead of only six teams.
Montez Sweat led the way with 10 sacks, and his midseason acquisition proved to be a much-needed spark. But beyond Sweat, the production dropped off quickly.
Dayo Odeyingbo’s first year in Chicago was derailed by injuries. He only suited up for eight games and finished with a single sack.
Austin Booker, on the other hand, showed some real flashes. His 4.5 sacks in 10 games were a step forward, and he’s starting to look like a player who could grow into a starting role down the line.
But flashes and potential don’t win playoff games. The Bears need another edge rusher who can consistently collapse the pocket and force quarterbacks into mistakes. That’s what Seattle had in spades in the Super Bowl-and what Chicago needs if it wants to level up from playoff contender to legitimate title threat.
What’s Next: Free Agency, Trades, and the Draft
The Bears have options this offseason, and they’ll need to explore all of them. If the Bengals don’t slap the franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson, he becomes an instant target. Hendrickson’s motor and production would be a perfect pairing with Sweat on the other side.
Then there’s the trade market. If the Raiders are willing to talk about Maxx Crosby-and that’s a big if-Chicago should absolutely pick up the phone. Crosby is one of the league’s most relentless edge rushers and would give the Bears a fearsome one-two punch off the edge.
And don’t sleep on the draft. The 2026 class is loaded with edge talent, with as many as 10 pass rushers projected to go in the first round. The Bears have the draft capital and the roster flexibility to make a move if the right guy is on the board.
The Bottom Line
Chicago’s defense made strides this season, but if they want to be the kind of team that doesn’t just make the playoffs-but wins in January-they’ve got to get after the quarterback at a much higher level. That means finding a second edge rusher who can take pressure off Sweat and force offenses to pick their poison.
Seattle just showed the league how it’s done. The Bears were watching. Now it’s time to act.