Chicago Bears post-free agency LB depth chart: Is position deep enough?

The Chicago Bears are over three weeks removed from the start of free agency, and their attention has shifted to the 2026 NFL Draft.

What does the linebacker position look like heading into the draft, and could the Bears add at the position?

Chicago Bears linebacker depth chart

Devin Bush

Bush is a former top-ten pick with a long history of not living up to his potential. However, Bush was excellent in 2025 and earned a big contract with the Bears. Now, the question is whether he is a one-year wonder or if it just took him a few years to live up to his draft potential.

T.J. Edwards

Edwards fractured his fibula in the Bears' playoff win over the Green Bay Packers. His timeline is unknown, but with the injury occurring so late in the season, there is a real chance he misses the early part of it. This is another reason why the team spent more on Bush.

D’Marco Jackson

When Jackson played last season, he was arguably better than both Tremaine Edmunds and Edwards. The team decided to cut Edmunds and use a fraction of his salary to bring Jackson back. If Edwards is not ready for Week 1, there is a legitimate role for Jackson.

Noah Sewell

Sewell has stuck around as quality depth. However, new additions have kept him down on the depth chart, and the Bears clearly view him as just a special teams option.

Jack Sanborn

The Bears discovered Sanborn as an undrafted free agent. He played well for Matt Eberflus, but got hurt when he followed him to the Dallas Cowboys. Now, he is hoping to pass up Sewell. For now, special teams is his best path to the roster.

Ruben Hyppolite

Hyppolite appears to be right on the Joel Iyegbuniwe route. He was a little over-drafted by the Bears at linebacker, with a projected special teams floor he could not live up to. Now, he is in his second year and fighting to stick on the roster.

Dominique Hampton

Hampton signed in November and stuck around the practice squad. Still, deep roster depth is all that he brings.

Nephei Sewell

Sewell gets to spend a summer with his brother, but he has to push to make the practice squad.

Will Chicago Bears draft a linebacker?

Bringing back Jackson and Sanborn, and adding Bush, should solidify that this team does not need a linebacker. They have five roster-caliber players, and enough competition for the sixth spot.