Chicago Bears post-free agency edge rusher depth chart: Need for one more

The Chicago Bears are entering the time where they shift away from free agency and go full-on into the NFL Draft.

It is a good time to look into what positions the team needs the most. What does the edge rusher look like, and will they need to add at this spot?

Chicago Bears edge rusher depth chart

Montez Sweat

Sweat got back on track with 10 sacks last year. The idea is that if the Bears could get better help on the opposite side of him, he could see less attention and have an even bigger impact.

Austin Booker

Booker saw an increase in nearly 300 snaps from year one to year two. He saw an increase in sacks from 1.5 to 4.5. He is ascending but remains best as a rotational rusher due to his questionable run defense.

Dayo Odeyingbo

Odeyingbo is coming off an Achilles tear. He should be back early in the season, if not by Week 1, but the question is how explosive he will be a year removed from the injury. At a position where his athletic ability is a huge factor, it may impact his ability.

Daniel Hardy

Hardy has been with the Bears since 2024, but he only played 54 snaps last season. As a fourth rusher, it is hard to say that he is trusted in the role.

Jonathan Garvin

Garvin has been in the NFL since 2020, after being a seventh-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers. He signed with the Bears' practice squad in the middle of the season and is back to compete for a roster spot. He is good for a practice squad spot, but has not played in the NFL since 2022, so he is not trusted as legitimate depth.

Jamree Kromah

Kromah was a 2024 undrafted free agent who spent two seasons on the Bears' practice squad. He is likely to be on the practice squad again.

Jeremiah Martin

Martin is a 2023 undrafted free agent. He signed with the Bears late into the 2025 season and signed a futures contract this offseason.

Will Chicago Bears draft a edge rusher?

The Chicago Bears have to draft an edge rusher. The impact of getting help across from Sweat, pushing Booker into a rotational role, letting Odeyingbo ease back, and having the rest at the end of the roster makes this group look much better on paper. It will be hard for them to take any other position in round one.