Jan. 25, 2026, 2:24 p.m. CT

The Chicago Bears’ defensive line is considered a top priority for improvement during the 2026 offseason.Chicago’s pass rush ranked near the bottom of the NFL in 2025 with just 35 sacks.General manager Ryan Poles highlighted Montez Sweat’s performance, which included 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.Poles indicated the team will explore free agency, the NFL draft, and the trade market to bolster the defensive line.

The Chicago Bears have some key issues to address this offseason, but none is more pressing than the defensive line, which is arguably the biggest weakness on the roster heading into 2026.

While getting better against the run is crucial, the Bears also need to improve getting after the quarterback, which is something they struggled to do all season. Chicago’s pass rush ranked near the bottom of the league with just 35 sacks in 2025. At times, opposing quarterbacks could just sit back there and pick apart an injury-riddled secondary, which led to some issues on defense.

Following the 2025 season, general manager Ryan Poles was asked about the pass rush, and he admitted they need to get better while also indicating injuries played a key role.

“There’s a lot going on there just in terms of we had some injuries going on that you have to overcome,” Poles said. “I think that’s an area where we can continue to press and get better. I look forward to Shemar (Turner) getting back and Dayo (Odeyingbo) getting back.”

Poles also singled out top pass rusher Montez Sweat and his contributions this season. The former Pro Bowler totaled 10 sacks, 53 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 17 games and was the team’s best pass rush threat.

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“I thought Sweat did a good job this year,” Poles said. “I think sometimes we get hung up on sacks and sacks are important. He did get into double digits, but I think his all-around game was good. The way he defended the run, defended the perimeter, as well as applied pressure was good. We need him to continue to get better too.

After the Bears overhauled their entire interior offensive line last offseason, the hope is they’ll give as much focus to the defensive trenches this time around. There will be options to upgrade in free agency, the 2026 NFL Draft (where you have to assume the defensive line will be a top priority) and even the trade market (should Maxx Crosby actually be available).

“We’ll evaluate everything,” Poles said, “but that’s always – O-line and D-line is always going to be a space where we want to get better.”

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