The 2026 NFL Draft was a mixed-bag experience for Chicago Bears fans, who turned off their televisions on Day 3, frustrated about one thing: they didn't get a pass rusher.
Many draft experts thought the Bears would select an edge rusher within the first three rounds, but they ended up not taking a single one. With the draft option out the door, Bears head coach Ben Johnson was asked by the media about how they can fix the pass-rush issues from within.
"The combination of us being able to coach better and those guys taking a next step as part of the system, I think we got some pretty good pieces to work with," Johnson said via The Score's Chris Emma.
Ben Johnson has his work cut out for him with pass rush
Last year's unit only had 35 sacks in 17 games, meaning only six teams had fewer sacks all year than they did. Montez Sweat was the leader at 10 sacks for the Bears, but defensive tackle Gervon Dexter was second with six.
All the attention seems to be on Austin Booker and how he will develop in Year 3 in the NFL. The Bears have already shown they believe Booker could be the guy they need to step up.
One edge rusher that is the most concerning and, honestly, the biggest financial headache on the team is Dayo Odeyingbo. He's recovering from a season-ending injury after having just one sack in the first half of the season, leaving Bears fans frustrated that general manager Ryan Poles gave him a three-year, roughly $50 million contract.
Read more: Bears can only hope 2026 draft pick is a direct clone of his biggest influence
There's still a chance the Bears could, at some point, make a trade for an edge rusher, but Poles and Johnson seem to be content with the edge rushers, even if the fan base isn't
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