The Chicago Bears’ defensive line went through some changes this offseason.
After DeMarcus Walker was released, the Bears added Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency and drafted Shemar Turner in the second round.
Dennis Allen's addition as the defensive coordinator will bring versatility and creativity to the entire unit. That could help create better opportunities for Montez Sweat to become the game-changing pass rusher that signed a four-year, $98 million contract with the Bears after general manager Ryan Poles traded for him midseason in 2023. Allen's scheme should also benefit Gervon Dexter as he heads into Year 3. A healthy Andrew Billings will stabilize the rush defense.
Despite the new additions heading into the 2025 NFL season, Pro Football Focus ranked the Chicago Bears as the 18th-best defensive line group. That puts the Bears in the bottom half of the league, and that's a fair ranking.
Why PFF got it right
The Bears finished with 40 sacks last season, which positioned them in the middle of the NFL. Sweat had a down season but still led the team with 5.5 sacks, and Dexter followed with five sacks.
Chicago's defensive line group struggled to consistently bring down opposing quarterbacks with the personnel they had last season, so three new players were added in Jarrett, Odeyingbo, and Turner.
It's tough to gauge how these new additions will translate in Allen's scheme in Year 1. Even though it's early, Sweat called Allen a “complex individual” because the scheme will ask him to learn different fronts and coverages. Dexter echoed his teammate's thoughts. So, it will take time for these players to understand the nuances of the defense.
Keep in mind that these new additions must develop chemistry with one another in this new defense. For Odeyingbo, he was brought in to fill a massive need at the defensive end spot opposite of Sweat. He needs to prove he can be that type of player. Odeyingbo can't finish with three sacks like he did last season and instead needs to revert closer to his 2023 production, which ended with eight sacks.
Jarrett has been a consistent interior defensive lineman throughout his career. Still, the veteran defensive lineman has called Atlanta home for the last 10 years, and the entire transition to Chicago will be new. It doesn't mean Jarrett can't adapt, but it'll be worth monitoring how everything goes for the 32-year-old defensive lineman.
There's a lot of projecting and unknowns for the Bears’ defensive line room as it stands today.
Potential to Ascend
The Bears have more talent on the defensive line than they did last season, which provides an opportunity to improve the overall pass rush and ability to stop the run.
According to PFF, the Bears generated pressure 34.2% of the time on passing plays without blitzing last season, which ranked sixth in the NFL. That was with less talent, and Sweat having a down season.
If the defensive line can understand Allen's defense and operate it more effectively as the season progresses, that increases the likelihood of each player maximizing their potential. This upcoming training camp will be crucial for establishing continuity among us.
Read more: Caleb Williams can't wait to see what Rome Odunze does in Year 2 for one reason
A lot must go right for this defensive line to ascend in the rankings, but it does help when the defense has better overall talent. That's why Poles made the changes he felt necessary to give his defense a better chance to become a disruptive unit this upcoming season.