The Chicago Bears took a tough loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and the ripple effect was immediate. What could’ve been a hold on the NFC’s top seed turned into a slip down to the final wild card spot. And while there were some encouraging signs-like rookie Luther Burden III stepping up in Rome Odunze’s absence-the game also put a glaring spotlight on a problem that’s been brewing all season: the defensive line just isn’t getting the job done.
Let’s start with the pass rush-or lack thereof. The Bears made a notable lineup decision heading into the game, activating Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, recently acquired to bolster the edge, and making Dominique Robinson inactive.
But the move didn’t pay off. Tryon-Shoyinka, along with most of the defensive front, failed to make any real impact.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love had a clean pocket for most of the afternoon, and when you give an NFL quarterback that kind of time, bad things happen for your defense.
The numbers tell the story. Montez Sweat was the lone bright spot up front, posting a 35.3% pass rush win rate.
Grady Jarrett followed with a respectable 23.5%. But after that?
The drop-off was steep. Gervon Dexter managed just a 5% win rate, Austin Booker came in at 4%, and everyone else-including Tryon-Shoyinka-registered a goose egg.
Zero pressures. Zero disruption.
Zero presence.
That kind of performance simply won’t cut it, especially for a team with playoff aspirations. And it’s why Dominique Robinson’s return to the field feels less like a question of “if” and more like a matter of “when.”
Robinson missed Week 13 with a concussion but cleared protocol in time for Week 14. The fact that he was held out could’ve been a precaution, but after what we saw from the rest of the defensive line, the Bears may not have the luxury of playing it safe anymore. Through nine games this season, Robinson has recorded 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks-not eye-popping numbers, but in context, they’re more than some of his counterparts have been able to produce in recent weeks.
The Bears’ defensive front has leaned heavily on Sweat and Jarrett, and while both have delivered, they can’t carry the load alone. Austin Booker has flashed potential in his second year, but consistency remains an issue. Against Green Bay, he was mostly a non-factor, and that inconsistency is exactly why depth matters so much right now.
Robinson doesn’t have to be a game-wrecker. He doesn’t need to be the next Sweat or Jarrett.
But what he can be is a reliable contributor who helps keep the pressure steady across the line. Even a modest improvement in pressure rate from the rotational guys could be the difference between forcing a hurried throw and giving up a chunk play.
The Bears’ secondary is finally getting healthy, and they’ve been doing their part with takeaways and solid coverage. But they need help from the front four. If quarterbacks continue to have time to scan the field and pick their spots, it’s only a matter of time before the dam breaks.
So as the Bears prepare to face the Cleveland Browns this coming Sunday, all signs point to Robinson getting another shot. And when he does, it’ll be more than just a rotational snap count-it’ll be an opportunity to prove he belongs in the mix, to show he can take some pressure off the stars, and to help a defense that’s been doing its best to hold things together.
In a tight playoff race, every snap matters. And for Dominique Robinson, the next one could be his most important yet.