Getty
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - MAY 09: Shemar Turner #95 of the Chicago Bears speaks to the media after the Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 09, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears took a major step forward in 2025. They returned to the postseason for the first time since 2020 under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
Much of the spotlight centered on Caleb Williams, but Chicago’s rookie class quietly played a major role in the turnaround.
Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, Ozzy Trapilo and Kyle Monangai became extremely important contributors.
One name, however, never got the same chance.
That player was defensive lineman Shemar Turner. Injuries derailed his rookie season before he could settle into the rotation.
Now heading into 2026, one analyst noted that Turner has a real opportunity. If healthy, he could become one of the more important pieces on a defensive line that is still evolving.
Bears’ Rookie Plans for Shemar Turner Derailed by Injury
Turner’s first season never found rhythm.
The former Texas A&M standout missed the first two games after suffering an ankle injury in training camp. He made his NFL debut in Week 3 against Dallas and logged 23 defensive snaps.
The stat sheet was quiet, and the grading backed that up.
According to Pro Football Focus, Turner posted a 30.0 overall defensive grade in that game, including a 29.0 run defense mark.
He remained a small part of the rotation over the next four games, playing just over 21 percent of the defensive snaps. In that stretch, he recorded six combined tackles and two tackles for loss.
There were flashes, but it was not the impact Bears fans expected.
Then came the bigger setback.
In Week 8, Turner tore his ACL and landed on injured reserve. The injury ended his season and delayed his development.
If his recovery stays on track, Turner could return around June or July, which lines up with the start of training camp.
That timeline gives him a full offseason to reset and prepare for a much larger role in 2026.
Where Turner Could Make Real Impact in 2026
Before the ACL injury, the coaching staff moved Turner around.
During the Week 5 bye, the Bears shifted him from defensive tackle to defensive end to create more edge pressure.
That flexibility still matters.
Chicago added Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo last offseason to boost the interior. Gervon Dexter continues to develop. Montez Sweat anchors the edge, and Austin Booker flashed late in the year.
Even so, the Bears are expected to explore more upgrades through free agency and the trade market.
They have been linked to a blockbuster trade with Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby and as well as signing veteran pass rusher John Franklin Myers in free agency.
That does not push Turner aside. It just raises the bar.
Turner can compete inside or outside in 2026. His pass rush grade sat in the low 50s, but scouts praised his quickness and burst coming out of college. The traits are there, but he needs consistent reps and good health to turn them into production.
For Chicago, this could feel like adding a new piece without making a move.
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:afec023c-eff2-4f98-9a8a-9cd4d1003e4a-21" data-testid="conversation-turn-44" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant">
Turner remains a second-round investment with upside, even if his quiet rookie year made him easy to overlook.
If he returns healthy and earns a steady role, he could become one of the bigger surprises on this defense. A year from now, Bears fans may be talking about Turner very differently.