Bears Edge Closer to Division Title, But Pass Rush Remains a Lingering Concern
The Chicago Bears are knocking on the door of their first NFC North crown since 2018, and Saturday night’s 22-16 overtime win over the rival Green Bay Packers was another big stride in that direction. While the victory was a team effort, one name stood out on the defensive side of the ball: Austin Booker.
Booker, now in his second year, has been quietly building momentum after returning from a knee injury-and on Saturday, he made his presence impossible to ignore. The young edge rusher not only racked up a sack, but also delivered a hit that knocked Jordan Love out of the game.
Over his last three outings, Booker has posted 11 pressures and 2.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s not just production-it’s disruption.
And it’s coming at exactly the right time.
But while Booker and Montez Sweat are doing their part to keep the Bears’ playoff hopes alive, the rest of the pass rush hasn’t quite kept pace. And that’s where things start to get complicated.
A Two-Man Show - For Now
Sweat has been the cornerstone of this defensive front since arriving in Chicago. He leads the team with 46 pressures and 9.5 sacks, and his consistency has been a major reason why the Bears have stayed competitive down the stretch. Booker’s emergence gives Chicago a promising one-two punch off the edge, and together they accounted for both of the team’s sacks against Green Bay.
But beyond those two? The production drops off fast.
Gervon Dexter Sr. was the only other defender to register more than two pressures in the win. That’s not going to cut it-not in December, and certainly not in January if the Bears want to make any noise in the postseason.
Dominique Robinson has flashed in limited snaps, but his 51.0 grade from Pro Football Focus paints a picture of a player still finding his footing. Meanwhile, Andrew Billings and trade deadline addition Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have struggled to make a consistent impact. Simply put, the Bears need more from their rotation.
Injuries and Missed Expectations
Chicago entered the season with high hopes for its revamped defensive line. Free-agent signings Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett were expected to bring veteran stability and interior push. But things haven’t gone according to plan.
Jarrett, who turns 33 in April, has two years left on the three-year, $42.75 million deal he signed last spring. He’s been solid, but not the game-changer the Bears hoped for. Odeyingbo, on the other hand, suffered a torn Achilles and is now a question mark heading into 2026.
Then there’s Shemar Turner. Drafted in the second round with the expectation he’d be a developmental contributor, Turner showed flashes early before tearing his ACL-ending his rookie season prematurely. Between Turner and Odeyingbo, the Bears lost two key pieces to long-term injuries, and it’s left the front office with more questions than answers.
Looking Ahead: A 2026 Priority
The Bears pressured Green Bay quarterbacks on just 11 of 32 dropbacks-roughly 34.3%. That’s a respectable number, but it underscores the reality: outside of Sweat and Booker, the pass rush isn’t getting home often enough.
And that’s why pass rusher is shaping up to be one of the top offseason priorities for general manager Ryan Poles. With two of their key investments recovering from major injuries and the current depth chart offering limited upside, Chicago may need to dip back into the draft or free agency to find another edge presence.
If no one else steps up over the final stretch of the regular season, Poles may be forced to take matters into his own hands. The Bears have built a defense with potential, but to make sure this 2025 campaign isn’t a one-off, they’ll need to fortify the trenches.
Booker’s breakout is a bright spot. Sweat is a rock. But if Chicago wants to go from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender, they’ll need more than just two names bringing the heat.