Bears to sign ex-Vikings, Titans defensive lineman to one-year deal

The Chicago Bears have come into the 2026 NFL offseason with a major need at defensive line, with the production from the pass rusher group not being nearly enough.

While they've yet to land a top-tier player to fill the need, especially at edge rusher, they have begun to add depth to their interior and exterior pass rusher groups.

And according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bears are reportedly in agreement with former Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans defensive lineman James Lynch on a one-year deal to help bolster the depth in Chicago.

Bears to sign James Lynch to one-year deal

"The Bears are adding depth along the D-line, signing veteran James Lynch, his agent at @LIFTSPORTSMNGMT tells The Insiders," Rapoport reports. "Former Vikings and Titans DL is singing a 1-year deal."

Lynch is a 27-year-old defensive lineman who was a fourth-round pick by the NFC North rival Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft.

In his NFL career, which has spanned five seasons, after not playing in 2023, Lynch has appeared in 71 games, making just four total starts.

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In the last two seasons with the Titans, Lynch has recorded three passes defended, 1.5 sacks, 45 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits.

Lynch is a 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive lineman. He will line up on the interior of the defensive line for the Bears, as they still have a big need to add edge rusher help this offseason.

In his 71 career NFL games, Lynch has just 3.5 total sacks with 98 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits.

He's strictly a depth addition, but with how badly the Bears need help along the defensive line, Lynch, the 27-year-old, could become a quality contributor for the Bears in 2026.

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