If there is a number that Chicago Bears fans are sick and tired of seeing, it's 35.
That's the number of sacks they had in 2025, which was more than six teams had, so the pass rush is a massive concern the Bears need to resolve in the offseason. Pro Football Focus writer John Kosko wrote that Chicago's best-case scenario at the draft is "plug holes on defense," with their ideal first two picks being Ohio State interior defensive lineman Kayden McDonald and Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore.
"Taking a page from my colleague Dalton Wasserman’s most recent mock draft, the first two picks he mocked are perfect for the Bears. If the Chicago defense wasn’t generating turnovers, it struggled to stop opposing offenses. McDonald and his NCAA-leading 91.2 PFF run-defense grade provides a consistent run-stopping interior defender to help keep the defense on schedule. Meanwhile, Moore can finish at the quarterback on third downs, as showcased by his 11 sacks and elite 92.4 PFF pass-rushing grade."
Bears could get their defensive line issues solved with two picks
McDonald has been a popular name in mock drafts for the Bears after earning unanimous All-American honors, Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, and first-team All-Big Ten honors last season. In 2025, he racked up 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery.
Grady Jarrett has been a massive disappointment for the Bears since signing his three-year contract last offseason. Putting McDonald with Gervon Dexter at defensive tackle in 2026 would be a great combo to have in the starting lineup, with Jarrett being part of the rotation.
Moore was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season and played a key role in helping the Wolverines win the national title in 2023. He finished last season with a career-high 10 sacks, 30 tackles, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.
Outside of Montez Sweat, the edge rusher position is a big concern for the Bears. Austin Booker looked solid in the second half of the 2025 campaign, but Dayo Odeyingbo was another 2025 free agent disappointment for the Bears as he struggled in just eight games before being lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Pair Moore on the line with Sweat and Booker, and that could be a pretty solid pass rusher for a long time.
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There might be work to do in free agency to help the defensive tackle and edge-rusher positions, but the draft could give the Bears the depth they need there.