The Chicago Bears are in the middle of a big offseason in 2026, and there are already a lot of changes happening on the roster through the first wave of free agency.
That includes the losses of wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker DJ Moore, safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Nahshon Wright, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and center Drew Dalman. But there are some new additions to the roster, including safety Kobe Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, center Garrett Bradbury, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalief Raymond.
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Following the first wave of free agency, we’re doing our best to predict what the Bears defense will look like heading into the 2026 season. When considering these defensive projections, Chicago still has a lot to address in the draft, including starting safety and supporting the pass rush.
Dermotze Sweet
Montez Sweat is rebounding after a disappointing 2024 season, despite being an obviously poor pass rusher. Sweat recorded double-digit sacks for the first time with the Bears (he had 12.5 total between Chicago and Washington when the Commanders traded him in 2023). He totaled 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, 53 pressures, three forced fumbles and five pass breakups. While Sweat isn’t a superstar at the position, he’s been solid and easily the best part of Chicago’s struggling pass rush. He could certainly benefit from having another big shot across from him.
De Dayo Odeyingbo
The Bears have not made a move on the edge rusher in free agency, but are expected to target one during the NFL Draft. So, for now, Dayo Odeyingbo is designated as Sweet’s starter, although Austin Booker may challenge him. Odeyingbo wasn’t a big factor in Dennis Allen’s defense last season, but general manager Ryan Boles has heaped praise on him this offseason as he works his way back to form.
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Defensive tackle Jevon Dexter
Gervin Dexter is currently the Bears’ best defensive tackle, and he needs to have a big season in the former second-round pick’s contract year. Last season, Dexter had a career-high six sacks and finished the season with total pressures (22) and hits (11) and 26 hurries. That’s what Chicago needs from its interior players to fuel the pass rush. Dexter isn’t elite by any means, but he still has his moments.
DT Grady Jarrett
The Bears made a big bet on Grady Jarrett last offseason, signing him to a multi-year deal to bolster the interior defensive line, but his 2025 season was overall disappointing. Jarrett appeared in 14 of 17 regular season games and two playoff games, but he didn’t really make an impact as an interior pass rusher (3.0 sacks) or run defender. His most impactful game in the locker room, but it might not be enough to retain the starting job when If Chicago upgrades at the position, this could go in the first round of the NFL draft.
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LB TJ Edwards
Last April, the Bears signed TJ Edwards to a two-year contract extension, keeping him in Chicago until 2027, but he did not fulfill that promise during the 2025 season. Edwards missed most of the season due to injury, but he started in all 10 games and completed 67 tackles, 1 interception and 0.5 sacks. Edwards suffered a fractured fibula in Chicago’s wild-card win over the Packers, which will keep him out for much of the offseason, but he is expected to return in 2026.
LB Devin Bush
After releasing Tremaine Edmunds, the Bears freed up $15 million in salary cap space, which they later addressed by signing Devin Bush to a three-year, $30 million contract. Bush is having a career year with the Browns, totaling 125 tackles including seven tackles for loss, three interceptions (including two touchdown returns), eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 2.0 sacks and four quarterback hits in 17 starts. He will bring a lot of speed to the linebacker room as he fills the Will linebacker role left by Edmonds.
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CB Jaylen Johnson
The Bears sidelined him for most of the 2025 season after suffering a groin injury before training camp, which led to another groin injury in Week 2 that sidelined him until November. When Johnson did return to the field (he played seven games), it was clear he wasn’t healthy but did whatever he could to help his team in playoff contention. Johnson admitted he wasn’t 100 percent yet and that it will take time, but he did improve and looked like himself at times late in the season and in the playoffs. Hopefully he can get some rest and return to Pro Bowl form in 2026.
CB Tyrik Stevenson
Nahshon Wright played one year for the Bears but left in free agency. While cornerback is needed this offseason, it’s at the bottom of the long list. So, for now, Tyrik Stevenson is slated to be the starter opposite Johnson on the outside, although there are questions about whether he can be trusted as a long-term option. There will be opportunities for upgrades in free agency and the NFL Draft, as well as some internal players who can compete for starting spots. But Stevenson is getting the nod for now.
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NCB Caleb Gordon
Like Jaylen Johnson, Kyler Gordon will miss most of the 2025 season due to injury. In fact, he was placed on injured reserve twice (early and mid-2025). Disappointingly, the Bears offered Gordon a lucrative three-year, $40 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid cornerback at the time. Gordon has been a game-changer for this defense when he’s on the court. But that’s the problem, as he’s only played in three games this season. He needs to focus on training this offseason in hopes of playing his first full season in year five.
S Kobe Bryant
The Bears signed young playmaker Kobe Bryant on the first day of free agency to fill one of two starting safety positions. Bryant, a former fourth-round pick, played a major role in Seattle’s 2025 Super Bowl run, totaling 66 tackles, four interceptions, seven tackles for loss and one forced fumble. He made the switch from cornerback to safety a few years ago, but he excelled in his new position. Bryant was a ball hawk and would take over the role vacated by Kevin Byard.
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STBA (Future Rookie)
The Bears lost two starting safeties in Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, who left in free agency. While they did acquire Kobe Bryant, there is still a starting safety position that needs to be filled in the NFL Draft. Chicago owns four picks in the first 89 picks, including the 25th overall pick and two second-round picks. The Bears should have some top options in the first round, including Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a popular name teased by Chicago this offseason.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Predicting Bears’ 2026 starting defense after first wave of free agency