LAKE FOREST, Ill., — One area on defense that continues to plague the Chicago Bears is a lack of a pass rush. It was a problem going into the offseason, and now eight weeks into 2025, it continues to be a problem.
Chicago star pass rusher Montez Sweat and free-agent signing Dayo Odeyingbo have combined for just four total sacks in seven games each. That's not going to cut it for the money that the Bears spent to address the pass rush situation. The return of Austin Booker, who was activated off of injured reserve, should help the Bears but overall, they need to capitalize on the opportunities they have, as head coach Ben Johnson explained.
"We've got to capitalize on the opportunities when guys get one-on-one, on a tackle or on a guard," Johnson said on Wednesday. That's really what it comes down to. If it's a play action, then we have to transition to the rushers fast. Last week in particular, we didn't build a lead on that team. We allowed them to keep the running game going."
Against Baltimore, the Bears really struggled as they recorded just three pressures on backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. The Ravens were able to establish the run early and throw the Bears off of their game plan.
But overall, the Bears have struggled to capitalize on those opportunities in one-on-one situations. For Odeyingbo, he has a 7.8% quarterback pressure percentage, which is 53rd in the NFL among defensive linemen. Both Sweat and Odeyingbo are also seeing their fair share of double teams, right under 30 percent for both.
When the Bears aren't seeing double teams, it becomes more important for them to win those single matchups. That's the easiest way to generate more pressure.
"I think we've been close. There's been disruption," Odeyingbo said. "That's showing up in turnovers. I think last game, we just had to do a little bit of a better job getting them off of their rhythm."
Odeyingbo has confidence that the group can turn it around quickly. But it has to be a group effort.
"Just our willingness to be unselfish as a group," Odeyingbo said. "Sometimes you, as an individual, aren't necessarily in a position that's supposed to get home; sometimes you're containing the quarterback so someone else can get home. It just comes down to working as a unit. I think we are all willing to do what it takes."
With the Bears getting Booker back, it does allow the possibilty for Odeyingbo to get reps on the interior of the defensive line. That's a spot where he's been better so far this season.
"This off-season, when we evaluated Dayo, I thought that was one of the best things he did was his inside rush," Allen said. "And yet, we haven't really been able to use him a whole lot in there. I think we'll see how the games play out, but I think that could lend us being able to use him a little bit more inside."
Maybe that will help unlock this pass rush and get this unit back on track. But if the Bears want to find success on defense this season, it's going to have to start with the pass rush.
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