Breaking down the Bears’ 2026 defensive roster
The Bears put together an 11-6 season in 2025, but it wasn’t without some concerns on the defensive side of the ball.
The Bears ranked 29th in total yards allowed per game, 27th against the run and 22nd against the pass. Their league-leading 33 takeaways papered over some of those issues.
Coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had plenty to think about over the offseason. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the Bears defense heading into training camp.
Defensive end
Returning: Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner, Daniel Hardy, Jamree Kromah, Jeremiah Martin, Jonathan Garvin
Newcomers: None
What to know: The fact there isn’t a single newcomer at defensive end says it all. The Bears are betting they can get more out of their returning cast. Sweat led the team with 10 sacks last season. Odeyingbo (Achilles) and Turner (ACL) return from major injuries. Booker finished the year strong after missing the first seven games with a knee injury.
Biggest question: Can improvements at other positions make the defensive ends better?
The Bears ranked 27th last season in quarterback pressure rate, per NFL Pro. They did not, however, take any big offseason swings at defensive end.
Instead, they reimagined the second and third levels of the defense with more speed at linebacker and two new starting safeties. They also shored up the depth at defensive tackle. If they can do a better job stopping the run, the ends should have more third-and-longs to work with.
The hope is all of those things in combination will put more pressure on quarterbacks. Johnson felt that Sweat had his best season as a pro. Booker always was going to be a project when the Bears drafted him in the fifth round in 2024. He could be poised for a breakout. Odeyingbo’s first year with the Bears didn’t go to plan, but the coaches have high hopes for 2026.
Don’t rule out the front office looking to add another veteran, whether via free agency or a trade.
Defensive tackle
Returning: Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr.
Newcomers: Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, James Lynch, Jordan van den Berg, Jayden Loving
What to know: Jarrett and Dexter return in the starting lineup, but the rest of this group looks different. Gallimore, Street and Lynch joined the Bears via free agency. The team drafted van den Berg in the sixth round and signed Loving as an undrafted rookie. Dexter enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Biggest question: Can the Bears stop the run?
The pass rush gets talked about a lot, but the inability to stop the run probably hurt the defense more last season. The Bears allowed 134.5 rushing yards per game (ranked 27th) and 5 yards per attempt (29th). Improvement against the run could work wonders for this defense, especially if it doesn’t have the same takeaway luck it did a year ago.
Jarrett dealt with a nagging knee injury all season. He could make more of an impact if he’s at 100%. Dexter had six sacks last year and five the year before, but in a contract year he needs a big season if he’s going to remain with the team beyond 2026.
Gallimore, Street and Lynch are likely to fill out the rotation. Van den Berg, a South African who played at Georgia Tech, is an intriguing athlete who might need a little more seasoning before he makes a big impact.
Linebacker
Returning: T.J. Edwards, D’Marco Jackson, Ruben Hyppolite II, Noah Sewell, Nephi Sewell
Newcomers: Devin Bush, Keyshaun Elliott, Jack Sanborn, Jon Rhattigan, Tony Fields, Wayne Matthews
What to know: The Bears released veteran Tremaine Edmunds in a cost-saving move and replaced him with Bush, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract in March. Former coach Matt Eberflus liked Edmunds’ length and ability to eat up space, but Johnson and Allen wanted more speed in the middle. That’s what Bush is here to provide.
Bush and Edwards will be the primary linebackers. Jackson proved valuable as a third linebacker with blitzing ability. Elliott, a fifth-round draft pick, figures to contribute on special teams. Sanborn returns after a year with the Dallas Cowboys.
Edwards, a Lake Villa native, fractured his fibula in the playoffs but was back on the practice field this spring.
Biggest question: What impact will Bush’s speed have in Allen’s defense?
Bush, the No. 10 draft pick in 2019, is coming off the best year of his pro career. He had three interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns, and totaled 125 tackles with two sacks, eight passes defended and two forced fumbles. His season was largely overlooked because he played for the 5-12 Cleveland Browns.
Allen wanted speed on defense, and Bush is one of the fastest linebackers in the NFL. It’s a distinct change in style from Edmunds. That doesn’t mean it’s better or worse — just a different approach. It should fit Allen’s style of defense better. Bush’s speed makes him versatile in pass coverage while also allowing him to be an asset as a blitzer.
Sanborn or Jackson likely will be the third linebacker in the base 4-3 scheme. Sanborn, a Lake Zurich native, was limited to six games with the Cowboys last season because of injuries.
Cornerback
Returning: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, Dontae Manning
Newcomers: Malik Muhammad II, KC Eziomume
What to know: Johnson was limited to seven regular-season games by a core muscle injury. In his absence, Nahshon Wright stepped up and put together a Pro Bowl season. Wright signed with the New York Jets in free agency. His exit opens the door for Stevenson to potentially re-enter the starting lineup.
Gordon missed all but three regular-season games because of injuries and will begin camp on the physically unable to perform list. Before the 2025 season, Allen touted Gordon as a defensive back with positional versatility, but that never materialized because Gordon missed so much time.
Smith missed all of last season with a knee injury. The Bears drafted Muhammad in the fourth round.
Biggest question: Can this group stay healthy?
Gordon spent two stints on injured reserve. He did return in time for the playoffs, but it’s debatable whether the Bears ever got the best version of him last season. He also missed much of the offseason program this spring with a soft-tissue injury, and then came Saturday’s news that he was placed on the PUP list.
Gordon never has made it through a full season without missing multiple games because of injuries. Johnson has appeared in a full 17-game slate just once in his career. Those two are expected to be fixtures in this secondary, but they need to stay healthy.
Stevenson, in the final year of his rookie contract, has what looks like another chance to prove himself as a starter after losing his spot late in the season. The rookie Muhammad can play both outside and at nickel, making him a potentially versatile backup who could push the veterans in training camp. Smith was a reliable backup and spot starter before his knee injury.
Safety
Returning: Elijah Hicks, Gervarrius Owens
Newcomers: Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman, Cam Lewis, Skyler Thomas, Anthony Johnson Jr.
What to know: Veteran captain Kevin Byard III, who led the NFL in interceptions, signed with the New England Patriots. Jaquan Brisker moved on to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Backup Jonathan Owens also left in free agency, signing with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Bears signed Bryant, fresh off a Super Bowl title with the Seattle Seahawks, and drafted Thieneman out of Oregon with the No. 25 pick.
Biggest question: Is the Bryant-Thieneman pairing an upgrade?
Of all the positions, safety went through the biggest offseason overhaul. Bryant and Thieneman take the place of Byard and Brisker. Time will tell if it’s an upgrade. Bryant, 27, is five years younger than Byard and entering the prime of his career. From that perspective his three-year, $40 million contract is a sensible investment.
The Bears see Thieneman as someone who can play both safety spots and nickel. First he has to win the starting job in camp. He played with the second-team defense during organized team activities but started to see some first-team reps during minicamp.
Lewis played in 76 games over six years with the Buffalo Bills. Hicks re-signed with the Bears after appearing in 61 games over four years. Both should be key special teams contributors and the primary backups.
Specialists
Returning: Cairo Santos (K), Tory Taylor (P)
Newcomers: Beau Gardner (LS), Luke Elkin (LS)
What to know: Santos has two years remaining on the contract extension he signed in December 2023. He remains the most accurate field-goal kicker in franchise history with at least 100 attempts at 88.3%, better than Robbie Gould’s 85.4%. The Bears don’t currently have a second kicker.
Taylor enters Year 3 of his four-year rookie contract. Gardner and Elkin will battle for the long snapper job.
Biggest question: Who wins the long snapper job?
It’s not sexy, but the job is up for grabs. Gardner, an undrafted rookie out of Georgia, won the Patrick Mannelly Award as college football’s best long snapper in 2025. That could mean he’s the favorite heading into camp.
The Bears originally signed Elkin a year ago as an undrafted rookie out of Iowa. He didn’t make the roster out of training camp and wasn’t with the Bears during the season. He joined the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad late in the season and signed a futures contract with the Bears in January.