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The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a crucial 2025 offseason that's included some big moves, including the hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson and some trades to help bolster the interior offensive line.
The Bears made a splash during free agency, which kicked off with the trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and carried over into free agency with the additions of center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay and tight end Durham Smythe.
Following the first wave of free agency, we're doing our best to predict what the Bears defense could look like heading into the 2025 season, and it appears all but set at this point (barring potenital upgrades in the 2025 NFL draft).
Following a career year, where he had 12.5 sacks, expectations were high for Pro Bowler Montez Sweat in 2024. But his production dipped in his first full season with the Bears, where he had the fewest sacks (5.5) since the 2021 season (5.0). Sweat battled ankle, toe and shin injuries that limited him, but he did appear in all but one game. Chicago's pass rush lacked a true complement to Sweat, who commanded extra attention with double teams and chips, which showed in the lack of production off the edge outside of Sweat.
Following the release of DeMarcus Walker, the Bears brought in Dayo Odeyingbo (who signed a three-year, $48 million deal) to shore up the edge opposite Sweat. While Odeyingbo wasn't the big name everyone was expecting, he's a young, ascending player in this league that could flash in Dennis Allen's defense. Odeyingbo also brings versatility to the defensive line, as he can line up off the edge or along the interior. We'll see if Chicago elects to further shore up the pass rush in the NFL draft, but Odeyingbo is the guy with that kind of contract.
Chicago made a huge addition to the interior defensive line with the signing of Grady Jarrett, who was released by the Atlanta Falcons at the start of free agency. Last season, Garrett totaled 53 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 12 QB hits in 17 starts with the Falcons. He's a former All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler that figures to be a valuable contributor on defense. The Bears get a dominant interior lineman and a leader for this young defensive line. Andrew Billings also figures to serve a significant role, as it'll be a three-man rotation with Jarrett, Dexter and Billings.
Last season, Gervon Dexter was the most pleasant surprise on defense in his first full season starting. He set career highs across the board in total tackles (51), tackles for loss (4), sacks (5.0), QB hits (19) and fumble recoveries (2). Unfortunately, Dexter's production took a hit after the loss of Andrew Billings. But he's still established himself as a key player along the defensive interior, and he serves to benefit as he continues to learn from Billings and now Grady Jarrett.
T.J. Edwards is entering the final year of his contract, and he's been worth every penny of his affordable contract signed back in 2023. Even as the Bears defense regressed as the season went on, Edwards continued to make plays and proved to be one of their better players. He totaled 129 tackles, six QB hits, one interception, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, as well as set career highs in sacks (4) and tackles for loss (12). Edwards has proven to be an impactful off-ball linebacker who could thrive in new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system.
The Bears made a splash when they signed Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year, $72 million contract in 2023, but he hasn't lived up to the hype (or the money). While Edmunds had a solid first year, he took a step back in 2024, and he's going to need to prove his worth this season. Edmunds, who has the fourth-highest cap hit at $17.43 million, has plenty to prove this season as new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen steps in. Otherwise, there's an out for Chicago in the final year of his contract in 2026.
After signing a well-deserved contract extension in the offseason, Jaylon Johnson once again proved that he's one of the most important players on this Bears roster -- and one of the NFL's best cornerbacks. Johnson had his second consecutive Pro Bowl season, where he forced three turnovers and recorded a career-high in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (7) all with teams electing to steer clear of him when they could. He'll be a cornerstone of Dennis Allen's defense.
Tyrique Stevenson looked primed for a breakout season following an impressive Week 1 performance against the Titans, which included a pick-6 and NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Unfortunately, his entire second season was marred by his part in the Hail Mary loss against the Commanders, where he was seen on video talking with fans -- and out of place -- as the final play got underway. But Stevenson should benefit from the addition of new head coach Ben Johnson and this coaching staff.
Kyler Gordon has developed into one of the NFL's best nickel cornerbacks, and he could find even more success under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Last season, he had a career-high 75 tackles, including our tackles for loss, four pass breakups, 0.5 sack, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and two QB hits in 15 games. Gordon certainly fits that "attacking, aggressive style of defense" that Allen is looking to build in Chicago. Gordon, who's entering the final year of his rookie deal, has made a case for a contract extension.
The Bears signed Byard to a two-year, $15 million deal last offseason, and he was one of the more reliable members of the defense, posting a career-high 130 total tackles, becoming the first Bears defensive back to lead the team in tackles since 2014. He also tied a career-high 2.0 sacks and made plays be it through forcing takeaways, recovering turnovers and breaking up passes. Byard also started every game in 2024, which was huge for this defense. But outside of his production was his impact as a whole, as Byard served as a veteran leader in a relatively young secondary.
Jaquan Brisker has been an integral member of this Bears defense, but health remains his biggest hurdle. Last season, Brisker suffered his third concussion, in as many seasons, in Week 5, and he missed the remainder of the season. His loss was certainly felt, as Chicago juggled between Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens, but his health was more concerning. Brisker said on social media that he's good to go for this season. And while he should be gearing up for a contract extension, he needs to play a full season before the Bears would feel comfortable with that.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Predicting the Chicago Bears' 2025 starting defense after free agency
Continue reading...
The Bears made a splash during free agency, which kicked off with the trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and carried over into free agency with the additions of center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay and tight end Durham Smythe.
Following the first wave of free agency, we're doing our best to predict what the Bears defense could look like heading into the 2025 season, and it appears all but set at this point (barring potenital upgrades in the 2025 NFL draft).
DE Montez Sweat
Following a career year, where he had 12.5 sacks, expectations were high for Pro Bowler Montez Sweat in 2024. But his production dipped in his first full season with the Bears, where he had the fewest sacks (5.5) since the 2021 season (5.0). Sweat battled ankle, toe and shin injuries that limited him, but he did appear in all but one game. Chicago's pass rush lacked a true complement to Sweat, who commanded extra attention with double teams and chips, which showed in the lack of production off the edge outside of Sweat.
DE Dayo Odeyingbo
Following the release of DeMarcus Walker, the Bears brought in Dayo Odeyingbo (who signed a three-year, $48 million deal) to shore up the edge opposite Sweat. While Odeyingbo wasn't the big name everyone was expecting, he's a young, ascending player in this league that could flash in Dennis Allen's defense. Odeyingbo also brings versatility to the defensive line, as he can line up off the edge or along the interior. We'll see if Chicago elects to further shore up the pass rush in the NFL draft, but Odeyingbo is the guy with that kind of contract.
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DT Grady Jarrett
Chicago made a huge addition to the interior defensive line with the signing of Grady Jarrett, who was released by the Atlanta Falcons at the start of free agency. Last season, Garrett totaled 53 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 12 QB hits in 17 starts with the Falcons. He's a former All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler that figures to be a valuable contributor on defense. The Bears get a dominant interior lineman and a leader for this young defensive line. Andrew Billings also figures to serve a significant role, as it'll be a three-man rotation with Jarrett, Dexter and Billings.
DT Gervon Dexter
Last season, Gervon Dexter was the most pleasant surprise on defense in his first full season starting. He set career highs across the board in total tackles (51), tackles for loss (4), sacks (5.0), QB hits (19) and fumble recoveries (2). Unfortunately, Dexter's production took a hit after the loss of Andrew Billings. But he's still established himself as a key player along the defensive interior, and he serves to benefit as he continues to learn from Billings and now Grady Jarrett.
LB T.J. Edwards
T.J. Edwards is entering the final year of his contract, and he's been worth every penny of his affordable contract signed back in 2023. Even as the Bears defense regressed as the season went on, Edwards continued to make plays and proved to be one of their better players. He totaled 129 tackles, six QB hits, one interception, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, as well as set career highs in sacks (4) and tackles for loss (12). Edwards has proven to be an impactful off-ball linebacker who could thrive in new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system.
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LB Tremaine Edmunds
The Bears made a splash when they signed Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year, $72 million contract in 2023, but he hasn't lived up to the hype (or the money). While Edmunds had a solid first year, he took a step back in 2024, and he's going to need to prove his worth this season. Edmunds, who has the fourth-highest cap hit at $17.43 million, has plenty to prove this season as new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen steps in. Otherwise, there's an out for Chicago in the final year of his contract in 2026.
CB Jaylon Johnson
After signing a well-deserved contract extension in the offseason, Jaylon Johnson once again proved that he's one of the most important players on this Bears roster -- and one of the NFL's best cornerbacks. Johnson had his second consecutive Pro Bowl season, where he forced three turnovers and recorded a career-high in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (7) all with teams electing to steer clear of him when they could. He'll be a cornerstone of Dennis Allen's defense.
CB Tyrique Stevenson
Tyrique Stevenson looked primed for a breakout season following an impressive Week 1 performance against the Titans, which included a pick-6 and NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Unfortunately, his entire second season was marred by his part in the Hail Mary loss against the Commanders, where he was seen on video talking with fans -- and out of place -- as the final play got underway. But Stevenson should benefit from the addition of new head coach Ben Johnson and this coaching staff.
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NCB Kyler Gordon
Kyler Gordon has developed into one of the NFL's best nickel cornerbacks, and he could find even more success under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Last season, he had a career-high 75 tackles, including our tackles for loss, four pass breakups, 0.5 sack, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and two QB hits in 15 games. Gordon certainly fits that "attacking, aggressive style of defense" that Allen is looking to build in Chicago. Gordon, who's entering the final year of his rookie deal, has made a case for a contract extension.
S Kevin Byard
The Bears signed Byard to a two-year, $15 million deal last offseason, and he was one of the more reliable members of the defense, posting a career-high 130 total tackles, becoming the first Bears defensive back to lead the team in tackles since 2014. He also tied a career-high 2.0 sacks and made plays be it through forcing takeaways, recovering turnovers and breaking up passes. Byard also started every game in 2024, which was huge for this defense. But outside of his production was his impact as a whole, as Byard served as a veteran leader in a relatively young secondary.
S Jaquan Brisker
Jaquan Brisker has been an integral member of this Bears defense, but health remains his biggest hurdle. Last season, Brisker suffered his third concussion, in as many seasons, in Week 5, and he missed the remainder of the season. His loss was certainly felt, as Chicago juggled between Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens, but his health was more concerning. Brisker said on social media that he's good to go for this season. And while he should be gearing up for a contract extension, he needs to play a full season before the Bears would feel comfortable with that.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Predicting the Chicago Bears' 2025 starting defense after free agency
Continue reading...
