The Chicago Bears have long been on a quest to solve their quarterback dilemma, and it seems they've finally hit the jackpot. Drafting Caleb Williams first overall in 2024 and bringing in Ben Johnson as head coach has turned things around.
Williams delivered one of the best seasons in franchise history, steering the Bears to a division title. But as one problem fades, another looms large: the pass rush.
The Bears have struggled to develop effective pass rushers for over two decades. Brett Kollmann, a respected film analyst and Bears fan, highlighted this issue on 104.3 The Score. Since 1990, only two Bears draftees have surpassed 40 career sacks, with the last to hit 50 being Richard Dent in 1987.
Here's a rundown of the Bears' draft picks aimed at boosting their pass rush:
- Alonzo Spellman, DE, 1992: 32 sacks
- Jim Flanigan, DT/DE, 1994: 40.5 sacks
- Alex Brown, DE, 2002: 43.5 sacks
- And others, with varying degrees of success.
The Bears' struggle boils down to two key issues: talent evaluation and development. Despite investing six first-round picks on defensive linemen over the years, they often missed the mark.
For instance, Spellman was picked before Robert Porcher, who went on to tally 95 career sacks. Similarly, Michael Haynes was chosen over Calvin Pace, and Shea McClellin over Chandler Jones, who racked up 112 sacks.
Moreover, even when the Bears find talent, they struggle to develop it. Leonard Floyd is a prime example, with 18.5 sacks in four seasons with the Bears, but 19.5 in just two seasons after moving to the Rams. Mark Anderson had a similar story, flourishing after leaving Chicago.
This has led the Bears to lean heavily on veteran acquisitions. Trading for Adewale Ogunleye, signing Julius Peppers, and trading for Khalil Mack and Montez Sweat have brought short-term success but failed to sustain long-term results. Drafting remains crucial, as evidenced by the Bears' success in the 1980s with Hall of Famers like Dent and Dan Hampton, thanks to astute evaluations by GM Jim Finks and coach Dale Haupt.
Currently, the Bears' approach under GM Ryan Poles is under scrutiny. They passed on free agency opportunities, leaving the draft as their primary hope for solving the pass-rush puzzle. This places significant pressure on Jeremy Garrett, the defensive line coach, whose track record doesn’t inspire confidence.
Garrett's coaching journey includes stints with the Jaguars, Auburn, Liberty University, and the Browns, but he has yet to establish a reputation for developing drafted players into NFL stars.
The Bears are banking on a strong 2026 draft class to address their pass-rushing woes. However, recent disappointments with players like Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner add to the uncertainty. The Bears are rolling the dice, hoping to finally break their long-standing pass-rush curse.