Windy City Gridiron
In Part 1 of this installment, we focused on the offensive side of the ball. While there isn’t nearly as much angst as we’ve seen in recent years regarding that unit, the defense still has plenty of questions to be answered in the coming weeks. It’s fair to say that with a Top 10-15 defense, many would consider the Chicago Bears a Super Bowl favorite in the NFC. With plenty of unknowns and existing concerns remaining heading into this season, it’ll take plenty of things to go right for them to take a big leap forward in 2026.
Let’s dive into the defensive side of the ball and dissect the Top 3 Training Camp battles to monitor in the coming weeks.
Heading into the offseason, it was fair to assume the Bears would do something to improve the overall upside of this room. Heading into late July’s start of training camp, this group remains untouched outside of losing Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. In short, the organization is banking on better health, a different coaching style, and growth from younger players to make the improvements needed to join the “Super Bowl Contender” conversation. Call me a skeptic, but for now, it is what it is.
Dayo Odeyingbo surprised many when he was a participant in the team’s offseason program. Assuming he doesn’t experience a setback, it appears that their Top 3 edge rushers will be healthy and ready to go for training camp. With Montez Sweat entrenched as their top starting defensive lineman, the competition between Austin Booker and Odeyingbo will be one to monitor closely. Both players had issues staying healthy last year, missing a combined full season between the two. Based on what we saw when both players were healthy, it’s fair to label Booker as the favorite. That said, the coaching staff has acknowledged Odeyingbo’s value on the interior, so don’t be surprised to see all three featured in various obvious pass-rushing situations.
Although fans shouldn’t rule out an outside addition in the coming weeks, the team seems confident in its approach to allow the situation to play out, at least into the latter part of the preseason. That means barring a surprise addition, Booker and Odeyingbo will be battling for not only a starting role on the defense but a chance to get to Week 1 healthy.
Tackle is yet another position that the Bears are hoping they can get more out of, even if the difference in talent between last year and now doesn’t appear to be much different. Last offseason, they gave veteran Grady Jarrett a surprisingly big deal to come over from Atlanta, and for the most part, it did not pan out. With Gervon Dexter Sr. heading into the final year of his rookie deal, the team is hoping the best is yet to come from him. In addition to those two, they added veteran Neville Gallimore to the mix, who should help improve depth and provide...
