The Bears spent the offseason trying to patch a defensive front that needed more answers, and Neville Gallimore may end up being the signing that makes the whole plan look a lot smarter.
Chicago’s frustration over the lack of attention at defensive end has been clear, but general manager Ryan Poles did make sure the defensive line got reinforced. The Bears added three veteran defensive tackles in free agency, then used their final pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round. That influx of bodies gives the team a much deeper group behind Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr., and it also puts a spotlight on which newcomer can actually move the needle.
Gallimore has a strong case to be that guy. The veteran has already bounced through four teams since 2020, and he arrives in Chicago after a productive season with the Colts.
In 17 games last year, he posted 38 tackles, six quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three pass deflections. Pro Football Focus gave him a 56.6 overall grade, which ranked 77th out of 134 defensive tackles.
The Bears clearly see more than a depth piece here. Gallimore got a two-year, $12 million deal, the only multi-year contract Chicago handed out to a defensive tackle in free agency. Kentavius Street and James Lynch each signed one-year contracts, a pretty strong sign that the Bears are betting on Gallimore to be the most important of the group.
That bet makes sense when you look at the state of the position. Dexter wasn’t the issue in 2025 and remains a player Chicago has to think about extending long term.
Jarrett, though, struggled to stay healthy and wasn’t effective when he did play. That combination pushed the Bears to add multiple defensive tackles and even draft another one as insurance in case Jarrett has another rough year.
Gallimore brings something Chicago needs: experience. He has started games before and logged plenty of snaps across his career, which gives him a real chance to settle in quickly. He may not be the flashiest name on the line, but he has the profile of a player who can matter for a defense that needs more disruption.
The Bears need more pressure on the quarterback and more resistance against the run. If Gallimore can help with both, he could stick around in Chicago for a long time.
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