Stop me if you have heard this before: the Chicago Bears need more pass rush.
It is not a new concept. This Bears team has not had a good-enough pass rush for a few years now, and somehow, general manager Ryan Poles either keeps avoiding it or keeps convincing himself that what he's done is going to be good enough.
We are still in the same place with the Bears needing a capable starter opposite Montez Sweat. But, the Bears did sign someone to fill that void ... last year.
With Chicago getting their OTAs going, the spotlight is on Dayo Odeyingbo to start living up to the contract he signed a year ago.
Dayo Odeyingbo has everything to prove starting with Bears OTAs and into training camp
Odeyingbo's first season with the Bears could not have gone much worse. After notching just a single sack in eight games, Odeyingbo missed the rest of the year due to injury. Funny enough, it was right about that time that Austin Booker was finally healthy and ready to take the field.
As soon as Odeyingbo went out, Booker came in almost as if to steal his job -- and he might have.
OTAs is going to be a time where we get a feel for who might be leading the charge at that starting spot on the other side of Sweat. Last year, Booker came out and, once he gained his footing, posted 4.5 sacks down the stretch, including three-straight games with at least half a sack.
You might laugh at that last bit, but it wasn't just about Booker's sacks. He made his presence known. He was disruptive on several occasions -- far more disruptive than we ever saw Odeyingbo in those eight games.
Now, the road to earning his starting spot back begins. Sure, we might presume that his starting role is still solidified solely based on the money he's being paid. But Dennis Allen isn't the type of guy to play favorites. He will call out a player if he isn't good enough. The problem with Odeyingbo last year was that the Bears didn't have a better option until Booker got healthy.
Fast forward to present day and there should absolutely be a competition there between the two of them.
We might not be watching the Bears in full pads like we soon will in training camp, but this is a time where Odeyingbo can send a message. He isn't deaf to all that's been said since he signed in Chicago. He has very likely heard and seen plenty from fans.
He has got to know this fan base expects more, and if he's paying attention, he'll know the fan base has a soft spot for Booker after the former Kansas stud showed real flashes in his initial preseason as a pro.
Odeyingbo needs to come out and send a message during OTAs. It is mandatory for him to be put in the best position to succeed, and quite frankly, to put the Bears in the best position to succeed.
Read more: 3 Bears starters who might find themselves on the bench in 2026 after OTAs
What's best for the Bears is for Odeyingbo to live up to his contract, and that starts with getting back on track to keep his starting role over Booker.
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