The Chicago Bears know the importance of the 2026 season and that everyone on the roster needs to be on their A-game.
Last year, there were plenty of standouts, with the young players stepping up in a big way. It was the veteran players who struggled more often than not.
Four of those veterans are now facing big seasons where the fan base wants to see them perform better in 2026.
4 Bears players that fans want to see more out of entering new year
Grady Jarrett, DT
The Bears are giving Jarrett over $40 million over the next three years, but that was not enough for him to play well in Year 1 last season. He struggled as Gervon Dexter outperformed him, leading the Bears to sign three defensive tackles in free agency and draft one as an insurance policy in case Jarrett struggles again. Chicago needs more from one of their higher-paid players and a veteran who has played well in the past.
Dayo Odeyingbo, DE
One sack in eight games is enough to make any fan frustrated after the Bears gave Odeyingbo a three-year, $48 million contract last offseason. The franchise is hanging on to hope that he will bounce back from his season-ending injury and get back on track in Year 2. If he doesn't, he will be an easy choice to be traded or released next offseason.
Cole Kmet, TE
Kmet put up the worst numbers he has had since his rookie season with the Bears. A big reason for that was the emergence of first-round pick Colston Loveland, and things will only get tougher for the veteran, as the Bears drafted a tight end for the second straight year with Sam Roush. All indications show that Kmet might be nearing the end of his tenure in Chicago, but even as the backup, fans want to see him get more involved in the offense.
Read more: 4 criminally underrated offseason moves that'll spark Bears' season
Tyrique Stevenson, CB
It seemed to all start well enough for Stevenson in the first four games of last season, but he would eventually find himself riding the bench by the end of the year. Now, he might be competing with a rookie fourth-round pick, Malik Muhammad, for the starting CB2 job in 2026. Stevenson has one last year to prove that he can be a starter in the NFL before he is a free agent in 2027.
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