The Bears need defensive help up front and it’s reflected in all of the mock drafts coming out.

You don’t finish 29th against the run and 31st in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric (29%) and think everything will simply be all right in 2026.

Draft analyst Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic chose 20-year-old Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, a pick many earlier mock drafts had projected going well before the Bears pick at No. 25. There seems to be a post-Senior Bowl spike for Florida’s Caleb Banks, who had been a popular mock Bears choice earlier.

Now Baumgardner thinks Banks is going 14th overall and in his mock draft for ESPN, Field Yates has Banks going 16th.

The Bears take Missouri defensive end Zion Young in Yates’ mock while passing on Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods.

#Bears mock draft I made at @PFSN365

I count three defensive starters and a high-end rotational RB. Mesidor and Miller would be a massive upgrade to the DL pic.twitter.com/4RX7vuaJZI

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) February 8, 2026

Either way, it’s defensive line help and what they need.

D-line must improve

The narrative being created is the Bears’ defense is terribly in need of a rebuild. As a result, they may not need to devote every resource to helping Dennis Allen’s defense. And it goes beyond the fact they led the NFL in takeaways, something everyone says is unlikely to happen again in 2026 even though Dallas just repeated in 2021-22 with the same defensive backs coach the Bears have, Al Harris.

There is another very good reason to think the Bears need less defensive help than some may think. Of course they need to settle the safety situation because no one is signed and do need defensive tackles, but whatever they decide to personnel-wise it can be done in one offseason even with their apparent lack of cap space.

On plays when there are no turnovers, the Bears D ranks 30th in EPA allowed per play.

The run defense has allowed 392 yards last 2 games for 56 first downs.

You cant count on turnovers in the playoffs against better teams. The D has to tighten up now. #DaBears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/FoLFdESZHI

— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) January 3, 2026

That’s because they’re not that bad, particularly in the secondary. They were just injured.

Injuries heal

They were 13th against the pass at the end of October but all of the injuries stacked up and hurt them against the run, which took down their pass defense.

The Bears in 2023 showed how fast it can turn around against the run. They went from 31st in 2022 to first in 2023, then dropped off the face of the earth again. Stop the run, then they have a better chance to stop the pass.

The Bears should look at the Broncos and Seahawks defensive front and take notes. Patriots have a great defensive outside casting unit. Bears have no problem there. Fix the D line. No DROB or a backup DT at starting DT.Stop playing!!! Would stop Reliance all on LBs. Get it done.

— Ian Johnson (@castilleian174) February 11, 2026

Beyond that, what are the chances of their defense being hit so hard by injuries again? Let me rephrase that because Ben Johnson and the Lions were No. 1 in games lost due to injuries in 2024. He came to Chicago and the Bears led the NFL in games lost due to injuries with 336.

This total includes backups like Terell Smith, who never played due to a preseason ACL tear, and several other season-enders early. But there were plenty more.

I know we’ve all been focused on rookies Colston Loveland, Kyle Monangai, Luther Burden and Ozzy Trapilo but I’m looking forward to finally seeing 6’3 CB Zah Frazier in 2026.

With how great this draft class has been so far, can’t wait to see what he brings to the Bears. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EQJhRzv56R

— Bearsszn (@bearszn) January 21, 2026Key injured Bears playersDefensive games lost

The #Bears had the #1 rushing defense in the league in 2023 allowing 1,468 yards. They ranked second in rushing TDS allowed (8) – the second fewest in the NFL. They were also 4th in YPC (3.8)

The #Bears tied the 49ers for most interceptions this season and tied for 5th in total… pic.twitter.com/LEMpVoyNX4

— Sky Kruse (@KruseSports_) May 4, 2024

This didn’t include the postseason.

Ben Johnson can’t continue having the same bad luck with league-leading injury totals. At some point, he has to have better health. The law of averages say so.

Put these facts all together and perhaps they’re close to fielding a top-flight or even respectable defense.

Poor Allen won’t have to put together patchwork lineups each week and then all the points Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams produce stand up for easier wins.

Mike Macdonald just gave the NFL the blueprint for a Super Bowl defense, and it exposes exactly where the Bears are failing. I’m breaking down why this position room isn’t just a “need” — it’s the ONLY thing standing between the Bears and a ring. #DaBears

MORE:…

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X: BearsOnSI