The Chicago Bears' defense in 2024 was one of the worst, despite having a roster full of talent.
They finished 27th in total defense, allowing 354.3 yards per game despite only allowing 21.8 points per game. Players like Montez Sweat, Tremaine Edmunds, and T.J. Edwards did not live to expectations, but they all got some help with some new additions.
Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo add some much-needed pass rushers and run stoppers to the defensive line. They also added a couple of rookie defenders, Ruben Hyppolite II and Shemar Turner, who can help with depth in the front seven.
A lot can go right for the Bears' defense, as they can only improve from where they were last year. There are also some possibilities that things can go south in a hurry.
Bears' worst-case scenario for their defense in 2025 is bad, like really bad
Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine shared the best-case and worst-case scenarios for each defensive unit in the NFL. Chicago's nightmare would be the secondary and linebackers taking a step back despite the talent level at both parts of the defense.
"Allen is inheriting a young, talented secondary led by Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. However, Kevin Byard is going to be 32 when the season starts and Jaquan Brisker missed all but five games last season.
It's not guaranteed that everything will work out at safety.
The Bears' potential lack of depth at inside linebacker makes that even more troubling. If Tremaine Edmunds or T.J. Edwards are forced to miss time, then fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite II could be forced into action before he's ready.
That scenario would put a ton of pressure on a front four that still has a lot to prove."
The good news is that Byard has always played at a high level and has rarely missed any games in his nine-year career. Brisker is more of a risk despite having the potential to be a top-five safety in the league. His 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble in five games had him pacing for a Pro Bowl season before his injury.
Despite Edmunds and Edwards being the top two leading tacklers on the roster a season ago, it certainly felt like they left something to be desired in their play. They are still talented linebackers who can play at a high level, but they must avoid injuries. Outside of Noah Sewell, there is limited to no experience at linebacker behind Edmunds and Edwards.
If the worst-case scenario does play out with injuries occurring at linebacker and safety, where does that leave the defensive line? Sweat is a star in the making, but last year's 5.5 sacks in 2024 ruined any momentum he had been building going into the season. Jarrett and Odeyingbo breathe some life into the line, but Gervon Dexter Sr. is another guy the Bears need to step up on the defensive line.
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Durability is key for the defense in Chicago. This worst-case scenario seems unlikely to happen, but the Bears do need to address their depth to avoid injuries being too much of a problem.