(Photo: © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images, 247Sports)
Less than one month remains until the Chicago Bears report to training camp in what is expected to be the most anticipated season in recent memory for the franchise. After an offseason of changes and adding talent to the roster, edge rusher is a position that saw some changes throughout the offseason.
In free agency, the Bears signed veteran Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year deal worth $48M after releasing veteran DeMarcus Walker, who spent two years with the team. Adding Odeyingbo to a room that includes veteran Montez Sweat and second-year pass rusher Austin Booker gives Chicago a much-needed upgrade.
An assessment of the edge rusher room shows that while the Bears do have two veterans who have proven to be productive in the past but the entire group lacks a third player who can step up in key situations. Going into 2025, Austin Booker has a legitmate chance to become the third edge rusher the defense is looking for.
When the Bears drafted Booker in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, the front office was intrigued with his height, length, and athleticism. Despite being a one-year starter in college and notching eight sacks during the 2023 season with the Kansas Jayhawks, Booker totaled just 1.5 sacks in his first season with the Bears.
Now, going into year two, the Bears will have a different defense in place but the advantage for Booker is that he's spent most of his career, including college and last season, with his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end. That should make the transition to Dennis Allen's defense a little bit easier for him as he attempts to carve out a role on a revamped defensive line.
With year two officially here for Booker, let's get into whether or not he'll take a jump forward during his sophomore season.
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