Analyst reveals why Bears' biggest need is not safety this offseason

The Chicago Bears have some work to do this offseason, and after their playoff run, there is a lot of optimism about the future of the franchise.

With Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker both free agents, along with breakout Pro Bowl CB Nahshon Wright, the secondary is a huge issue.

However, for NFL.com analyst Kevin Patra, the Bears' biggest need, while on the defensive side of the ball, has nothing to do with the safety room. Instead, Patra is urging the Bears to "beef up" their defensive line.

Bears urged to beef up D-Line after getting pushed around in 2025

"With their top safeties hitting free agency, that's a position Ryan Poles will also deal with," Patra writes, "but bulking up the interior of the D-line is a must this year after the Bears got pushed around for stretches in 2025."

The Bears' defense did struggle against the run game this past season, allowing 134.5 rushing yards per game, which was a bottom-10 mark in the NFL. They also allowed a success rate of 44% on running plays, also in the bottom-10 in the league.

While there are multiple players that are hitting the open market in the secondary, the massive struggles of the run game last year will lead the Bears to address their defensive line.

More: Bears' list of 2026 NFL draft picks, free agents and cap space going into offseason

Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter, and free agent Andrew Billings weren't great this season, and while Shemar Turner will come back, the Bears desperately need better interior defensive line help.

Pass rush is also a need, so finding a dominant defensive tackle could be exactly the player they need. Whether it's in the draft, in free agency, or by trade, the Bears need to beef up their interior defensive line this offseason.

Patra is urging as such, and while safety is a big need as well, letting the defensive line go without improvement would be a massive mistake this offseason.

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