Much to the chagrin of a lot of people, the Chicago Bears emerged from the 2026 NFL Draft without an edge rusher. Pair that with not acquiring anyone of note in March, and there's plenty of conversation (and concern) about just who will supply pass rush juice off the edge opposite Montez Sweat.
For now, at least, the Bears are leaning into the continued development of Austin Booker and Shemar Turner, and on Dayo Odeyingbo being healthy to supply that answer. If that plan isn't going as hoped and some parts definitely feel better than others, the post-draft assertion could soften a lot between now and the start of the season.
NFL analyst Brian Baldinger appeared on 104.3 The Score's "Rahimi, Harris and Grote" Monday. The edge rusher topic came up, of course, with co-hosts Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris rattling off some available names.
Brian Baldinger hones in on an edge rusher he feels the Bears should target
Though he narrowed it to two veteran edge rushers he feels are the best fits for the Bears, who Baldinger led with felt telling.
"I would say, Von Miller led the Commanders in sacks last year with nine", Baldinger said. "I'm around Von a lot...we do some things together, I go to "Sack Summit" every year...I'm sure Von's just sitting back, I'm sure his phone is ringing. He's a guy I would be very interested in. He's healthy, he's been healthy, had a good season last year. Played 30 to 35 percent of the snaps, got nine sacks."
At 37 years old, Miller's best days are obviously behind him. But over the last two seasons, last season in Washington and 2024 with the Buffalo Bills, he has been a very effective pass rusher in a smaller role with a total of 15 sacks and 76 pressures.
Miller is in a position where he can wait to sign for as long as he'd like. No team he signs with will expect him to be at the voluntary portion of offseason work this month. If he were to sign before the mandatory minicamp in June, being at that would be little more than a token appearance to get to know new teammates.
It's a stretch to put the Bears in the top tier of Super Bowl contenders for the 2026 season. But they, similarly to the Commanders a year ago--even if it didn't work out, are on an upward trajectory, and there's a lot for Miller to like.
A veteran like Miller, with his resume, would be a supplemental coach in the Bears' effort to accelerate the development of Booker and Turner. He would help the pass rush, and his on-field role would also not hinder the plan to cultivate those two young players.
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As veteran edge rusher matches for the Bears go, if they move to sign one in the coming weeks or months and taking everything into account, Miller might be as ideal as it gets.
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