The Chicago Bears continue into the offseason without any attention or response regarding the edge rusher room.
Last year, the Bears only had 33 sacks as a team with edge rusher Montez Sweat as the leader with 10, but after that, Austin Booker was next in the room with 4.5, and that was after missing seven games in the regular season. To say the Bears desperately need help at edge rusher is an understatement, but not according to the team.
Bleacher Report writer Brent Sobleski shared his new 2027 mock draft following the Myles Garrett trade to the Los Angeles Rams, with the Bears picking 15th overall. The good news, at least, is that they finally get an edge rusher in Arkansas's Quincy Rhodes Jr.
"Surprisingly, the Chicago Bears didn't address their biggest need this offseason. The team lacks pass-rush help opposite Montez Sweat. If something doesn't change between now and next April, another talented defensive end is the obvious choice.Dayo Odeyingbo is coming of a torn Achilles tendon. Besides, he's better as a base end, who reduces down in sub-packages. Austin Booker has yet to put it all together and become a consistent pass-rush threat. From there, the Bears lack depth.Arkansas' Quincy Rhodes Jr. emerged as a second-team All-SEC performer last season after posting 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. The 6'6", 277-pound prospect already displays NFL-caliber power to set the edge and threaten offensive tackles with a bull-rush. He's not the type of pass-rusher to fly off the edge, bend the corner and flatten toward the quarterback. However, his pass-rush plan showed some promise last season and should continue to expand this fall."
Could Quincy Rhodes Jr. replace Dayo Odeyingbo in 2027?
Rhodes has all the traits to be a great pass rusher in the NFL, and with another season in college, he could rise into the top 15 of the 2027 NFL Draft. It helps that he is playing in the SEC and facing off against the nation's best offensive linemen.
This could present the Bears with an interesting replacement for a player Bears fans have not been a big fan of since arriving in Chicago: Dayo Odeyingbo. Booker looks to be more of the future, but Odeyingbo's one sack in 2025 raises major concerns for everyone.
The Bears seem to still believe in the edge rusher room, with a lot of the attention on Booker taking a big leap in 2026. Odeyingbo just needs to prove that he can first stay healthy and then consistently get pressure on the quarterback.
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Another bad season from Odeyingbo after just one sack in the first half of 2025 before his season-ending injury and the Bears will have to move on. Rhodes could be the guy to take his spot.
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