ClutchPoints
The Chicago Bears are far from being the once rebuilding curiosity. Of course, most of the attention will naturally gravitate toward Caleb Williams. However, the Bears’ path toward becoming a legitimate contender may ultimately depend on a pair of lesser-known contributors. Every successful team needs unexpected difference-makers, of course. Chicago has at least two intriguing candidates ready to emerge from the shadows. As the 2026 NFL season approaches, edge rusher Austin Booker and defensive back Coby Bryant stand out as the two underrated Bears sleepers who could make a substantial leap. They can help elevate this team deeper into the NFC playoff picture.
General manager Ryan Poles needed to re-tool and address critical roster pain points. On the open market, the front office prioritized immediate offensive insulation by signing former top-ten pick Jedrick Wills. They also added dynamic wideout Kalif Raymond. In the draft room, the approach leaned heavily toward versatility and raw physical temperament. This was highlighted by the acquisition of defensive back Dillon Thieneman. Poles further reinforced the interior of the trenches by targeting award-winning center Logan Jones and adding the vertical speed of weapon Zavion Thomas. Coupled with a strategic veteran trade for center Garrett Bradbury, it was an aggressive episode in team building that raised the competitive baseline across the entire organization.
Now for the seeleprs who can make an impact in 2026:
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Chicago’s offseason improvements may be Austin Booker. Sure, Montez Sweat remains the headline name on the edge. However, Booker has quietly positioned himself to capitalize on the opportunities created by the attention opposing offenses must dedicate elsewhere.
The appeal is obvious. Booker possesses the type of physical profile teams covet in modern pass rushers. More importantly, he now enters a defensive environment specifically designed to create favorable one-on-one matchups.
With Sweat commanding double teams and Jarrett creating interior disruption, offenses will be forced to make difficult protection choices. Those decisions often leave secondary rushers isolated against individual blockers. For Booker, that could be the difference between being a rotational contributor and becoming a legitimate breakout performer.
What makes this projection particularly compelling is the role he is likely to occupy. Chicago’s defensive staff does not need Booker to become a double-digit sack artist overnight. Instead, they need him to convert pressures into game-changing plays. If he can provide that complementary rush opposite Sweat, the Bears’ defense suddenly becomes far more difficult to handle.
While Booker could emerge as a disruptive force up front, Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant may become one of the most valuable hidden pieces in Chicago’s secondary.
Bryant’s versatility gives the defense options that many teams simply do not possess. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to align in different spots across the defensive backfield. That adaptability could become especially valuable within a defense that already features established outside corners.
With Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson handling perimeter assignments,...
