Over the course of this offseason, the Chicago Bears have retooled their defense under Dennis Allen by way of both the draft and free agency.
One of the additions made, all the way back when free agency first began, flew way under the radar. In fact, he was hardly talked about at all.
The Bears signed former Minnesota Vikings fourth-round pick James Lynch to a one-year deal. But, with such a crowded depth chart, Lynch could already have one foot out the door. The six-year veteran defensive tackle is going to have a very difficult battle ahead of him this summer.
The Bears' interior defensive line must be better in 2026, but James Lynch won't be part of the resurgence
Lynch came to the Vikings back in 2020 as a fourth rounder out of Baylor, and would spend the last two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He's only played 32 percent of defensive snaps, at most, and has done that twice; once last year in Tennessee and once in Minnesota.
A Bears defense that needs more in terms of pressure on quarterbacks, whether it's from the end or interior, isn't going to find it in Lynch. He has a total of just 11 quarterback pressures in five seasons (did not play in 2023 due to a torn ACL).
Oddly enough, as we're talking about a player who probably won't make this roster, Lynch did post a career high in 2025 with three quarterback hits, but that's not enough to keep him around.
Beyond the fact that he is still trying to prove his worth in the NFL, Lynch has several guys ahead of him on the interior of this defensive line.
Chicago needs a bigger season out of veteran Grady Jarrett, and fans are hoping to see just that. Alongside Jarrett will be Gervon Dexter Sr. is entering a contract year, so Bears fans are expecting to see a big year out of him as well.
But, behind Dexter and Jarrett, the Bears also brought in free agent Neville Gallimore who is nearly a lock to make this roster and become part of the rotation on game days. Kentavius Street, the former Atlanta Falcon, is also in the mix.
That's still not all, as the Bears also drafted Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round this year, and love his athletic makeup. His sheer athleticism is tantalizing and, if he's able to develop properly, van den Berg could absolutely become a big part of this defensive line.
Read more: Forgotten ex-Bears weapon is one UFL game away from return to NFL
Now, we've listed off five interior defensive linemen who should make the roster. The Bears very likely won't be keeping six, which would make Lynch expendable.
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