The Chicago Bears' defense went through some much-needed turnover to try to fix the problems of the 2025 season.
This was a defensive unit that allowed the fourth-most total yards in the NFL last year with 361.8. They needed to figure out a way that they can stop allowing so many yards from their own 20-yard line to the opponent's 20-yard line.
Five of their secondary players walked, and they released linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. To replace them, the Bears added safety Coby Bryant, rookie safety Dillon Thieneman, defensive back Cam Lewis, and linebacker Devin Bush as the main pieces. The Bears also added three free agent defensive tackles to build out the depth of the group.
While more focus has been on the secondary and defensive line, it's really the linebackers where more conversations need to be had. The Bears need someone outside of Bush, T.J. Edwards, and D'Marco Jackson to step up in a group that had so many injuries throughout the year. Maybe a second-year player might be able to answer the call in 2026.
Ruben Hyppolite II could be the spark the Bears' defense needs
Generally, it was a very quiet rookie season for the 2025 fourth-round pick who had a lot of buzz surrounding him. Hyppolite played in seven games with one start, racking up six tackles. He was reduced to more of a special teams player after playing 42% of the snaps on that unit compared to just 7% on defense.
Bears fans want to see more out of Hyppolite, as there was a ton of buzz around the kind of athlete he could be in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme. This is the same guy who ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash last offseason before being drafted, showing the kind of potential he could have with that kind of speed.
Entering 2026, there isn't much noise around Hyppolite, which could mean a lot of things, but it's usually not a good thing. The top three linebackers on the Bears are pretty locked in with Edwards, Bush, and Jackson. Now it's a matter of figuring out everyone after then.
Jack Sanborn is back on the Bears, which could make things interesting for the linebackers. Noah Sewell was a standout last preseason and had some nice moments in the regular season, but tends to struggle in pass coverage. Rookie fifth-round pick Keyshaun Elliott could also make a push to make the roster.
The Bears would love to make it work with Hyppolite playing more on defense, just for the sole reason that he is super fast. That is rare speed to see from a linebacker, but developing him as a special teams ace would also be great, as he can use that same speed on kickoff coverage.
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If Allen and company play their cards right and develop Hyppolite the right way, they might have a real weapon in a backup who can be more than just that "fast linebacker." He could be a difference-maker in 2026.
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