The Chicago Bears’ edge rusher unit has been the thinnest and least reliable group on the roster for the past couple of seasons.
While changes were made this offseason, it remains to be seen whether those moves are enough to shift the narrative.
Montez Sweat
Montez Sweat had his best season in 2024. After being traded from the Commanders, he made an instant impact in Chicago. However, in 2025, teams treated him as the Bears’ top defender, and his production dropped accordingly.
Sweat finished with just 5.5 sacks last year. While he may be better than that total suggests, his 12.5 sacks in 2024 were likely an outlier. For most of his career, he has looked more like a player who hovers around eight sacks per year. Can he return to that form?
Dayo Odeyingbo
Odeyingbo was signed because he fits what Dennis Allen wants in an edge rusher. His size, length, and ability to defend the run made him a scheme match. He is coming off an eight-sack season in 2024 and is still just 26, so the potential is there. Still, that performance stands out as a spike in an otherwise modest career. Was it a turning point, or just an outlier?
Austin Booker
Booker’s role in this new defense will be something to watch. Allen prefers edge rushers with size and power who can handle run duties, and Booker is more of a finesse rusher. He was seen as a pass-rush specialist entering the draft and fell partly due to his frame. Will year two bring development, or will the scheme make him a poor fit?
Dominique Robinson
Robinson is entering his fourth season. While he looks like a natural fit for the new scheme, his production through three years has shown no sign of improvement. This may be his last chance to earn a rotational role.
Daniel Hardy
Hardy became a fan favorite last preseason, and many feared losing him to another team. He only played 31 snaps in 2024 but managed four pressures in that limited time. His spot on the 2025 roster is not guaranteed, but he has a real chance to stick again.
Jamree Kromah
Kromah was a 2024 undrafted free agent who spent the season on the practice squad. The question now is whether he can build on that and push for a 53-man roster spot in camp.
Jereme Robinson
Robinson is a rookie undrafted free agent from Kansas. He will need a strong showing in training camp and preseason to carve out a future in the NFL.
Read more:Bears training camp position preview: New era at pivotal center position
Xavier Carlton
Carlton is another rookie UDFA, this one from Cal. Like Robinson, he is fighting for reps and will need to stand out quickly to make an impression.