Bears' top offseason priority is staring right in front of their faces

The Chicago Bears had a very successful first season under Ben Johnson.

The team realizes they do not just go back to the NFC Divisional round; now they have to start from the bottom. It will not be easy, but it does help frame the roster decisions. If this team wants to take a legitimate step, they'll have to improve their pass rush significantly.

Courtney Cronin of ESPN agrees. She wrote an offseason preview for the Bears, listing the pass rush as the biggest priority in Chicago.

"Rebuild the pass rush. The Bears' inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks was a glaring weakness all season. Despite spending big last free agency on defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (one sack in eight games before a season-ending injury) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (two sacks), the Bears got very little return on investment. The No. 1 focus must be a big swing on an edge rusher in free agency or the draft."
Courtney Cronin

Chicago Bears have one major need this offseason

Despite such an improvement in record, the Bears only recorded 35 sacks this season. That is five fewer than the 40 sacks they posted in 2024. This is even more disappointing when you realize Montez Sweat went from 5.5 sacks to 10. The Bears' best pass rusher gave them 4.5 more sacks, and the rest of the group delivered 9.5 fewer sacks as a whole.

Austin Booker flashed in moments, going from 1.5 sacks to 4.5, but that is not quite the jump they needed, and he is much better as a rotational rusher. They were likely asking him to do too much as things stood.

Dayo Odeyingbo missed most of the year, Grady Jarrett is getting too old, and the rest of the group failed to step up.

It is fair that they do not need one specific element of the pass rusher, either. They could use an interior rusher or an edge threat opposite Sweat. The question will be how they can address the position.

Game-changing edge rushers do not shake free into free agency often. It is why the Bears needed to trade for Montez Sweat. Another trade is on the table, but their best bet is to head into the draft with the idea that they will select an edge rusher in round one.

They have to see how the board falls and hope that someone they like is available, but it is the only way to be younger and cheaper at the position with a chance to upgrade as well. Signing another veteran pass rusher, similar to Jarrett, and one more big draft asset could make the room look much more formidable than it has in recent seasons. Will the Bears commit to this process?