"I think \[Booker\] continues to get better each and every week," defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said late in the season. "I know I've said this before, but the thing that I like about that player is his toughness, his grittiness, his tenacity. He plays extremely hard on every single play. And I think that's what allows him to be effective."
Booker was also instrumental in the Bears' regular-season and playoff wins over Green Bay, totaling 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three QB hits between the two contests.
The Bears also had saw contributions from veteran edge rushers Dominque Robinson, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Daniel Hardy.
Veterans Grady Jarrett and Andrew Billings, as well as third-year pro Gervon Dexter Sr., manned the interior defensive line for the majority of the season. Both Billings and Dexter appeared in all 17 games, while Jarrett missed just three due to injury.
Dexter led the group of defensive tackles with 44 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries and tied Billings with six tackles-for-loss. Jarrett and Billings combined for 13 quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks.
Rookie defensive lineman Shemar Turner contributed in five games before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Baltimore Oct. 26. At his end-of-season press conference, general manager Ryan Poles told reporters he expects both Odeyingbo and Turner back in some capacity during the offseason program.
"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 getting back and Dayo getting back."