The Chicago Bears spent big money over the last few offseasons on defense, but some have not quite worked out the way they wanted to.
One of those disappointing signings was defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo last offseason, as he ended the 2025 season with just one sack in eight games before a season-ending Achilles injury occurred. ESPN NFL analyst Aaron Schatz named Odeyingbo as the nonstarter to watch on the Bears after the team's projected starting lineup ranked 17th.
"He signed a big free agent contract last year to come over from Indianapolis but was disappointing, with just one sack in eight starts before getting hurt. Can he get healthy and get his groove back? The Bears need edge help behind Sweat and Booker."
Dayo Odeyingbo needs to step up in a big way in 2026
There were already questions about Odeyingbo going into the 2025 campaign and how the Bears overpaid for him with his three-year, $48 million contract. He was a guy who had never had more than eight sacks in a season and was coming off just three sacks in 2024.
The one good thing about Odeyingbo was that before coming to Chicago, he was one of the top defensive ends in pressures, racking up 42 in 2024. That was not the case in 2025 with the Bears, as he finished with just 10.
More eyes are on Austin Booker this season for the Bears, as many believe this could be his breakout season the team has been waiting for. Booker finished with 4.5 sacks in 10 games last year and was a good replacement for Odeyingbo.
Entering training camp, Booker and Odeyingbo are going to be competing for one of the defensive end jobs, with Montez Sweat as the only clear-cut starter. There's still a chance that Odeyingbo could win that job, but Booker is the projected starter for the time being.
Chicago can't afford for Odeyingbo to take a back seat in 2026 with the amount of money they are paying him. Another setback for him, and he could already be out the door next offseason.
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The Bears' defense struggled last season, finishing with just 33 sacks, which is why many were surprised when general manager Ryan Poles decided not to sign, trade, or draft an elite defensive end. That puts way more pressure on Odeyingbo to step up and play well in 2026.
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