The Chicago Bears will have OTAs begin on Wednesday. While these aren't mandatory, there will be plenty of players in the building who are looking to get some action in and start building towards the 2026 season.
While that's the focus for the players and coaching staff, it appears that general manager Ryan Poles is looking to add reinforcements to the defense. Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune reported that the Bears are looking at defensive line options and brought in free-agent DE A.J. Epenesa for a workout last week.
It's not a secret that the Bears need more bodies up front on defense, and this report shows that Chicago isn't sitting on their hands. They will add to that room, and there's a possibility it could be Epenesa.
Bears brought in A.J. Epenesa for a workout
Chicago finished 2025 tied for 28th in team sacks (35). Despite leading the league in turnover differential (22), generating consistent pressure is key to having an impactful defense. In addition, Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner are both returning from major injuries.
The Bears are high on Austin Booker, but it's risky to roll into 2026 as the main guy off the bench. It's worth noting that Epenesa and the Cleveland Browns agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal in late March, but it fell through due to a failed physical. There's been no reason given why Cleveland pulled the offer.
Regardless, that's something that Chicago certainly discussed with him in their meeting. If everything clears there, Epenesa could be a solid rotational piece added to the mix. In 91 career games (19 starts) with the Buffalo Bills, he's logged 135 total tackles, 29 TFLs, 53 QB hits, 21 pass deflections, and 24 sacks. While he was with the Bills, he never played more than 55 percent of the defensive snaps. He would fit perfectly, as the Bears have multiple players in the room but need some fresh legs.
At this point in the offseason, it wouldn't cost much to bring Epenesa in either. The Bears are sitting on $12 million in cap space, so they can offer him a one-year deal similar to the one he got from Cleveland. He can create pressure and get his hands up at the line of scrimmage when he doesn't get home.
Biggs thinks Chicago is between having interest in signing another defensive lineman and doing "due diligence on an emergency list."
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Needless to say, Poles isn't hiding the faith that Chicago is eyeing defensive linemen. Whether or not they sign Epenesa remains to be seen, but it appears the Bears could be making an addition to that unit in the near future.
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