Bears top offseason need is to improve bottom-10 position group in NFL

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen (L), general manager Ryan Poles (C) and head coach Ben Johnson (R) observe during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears have a few clear areas of the roster to address this offseason. While the offensive side of the ball is one focus, specifically at wide receiver and left tackle, the defensive side of the ball is far more pressing.

Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, and Nahshon Wright are all free agents, making the secondary a big need. But that's not their biggest need this upcoming offseason.

Dan Wiederer of The Athletic identified a different area of the roster that needs improvement. This group is a bottom-10 unit in the NFL and is in dire need of upgrades after a rough season. That group? Pass rushers.

Bears' top need is pass rusher help this offseason

"Pass rush: The Bears finished in the bottom 10 of the league in sacks with 35 and were 21st in sacks per pass attempt (6.75%)," Wiederer. "To make the leap from division champs into a true Super Bowl contender in 2026, the pass rush needs more teeth."

While the Bears' pass rush unit last year was hamstrung by injuries to a few key players in Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner, the overall unit was still far from being good enough.

As seen by the last two Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks, having a dominant pass rush can completely change the tide of a game.

More: Bears get exciting offseason rumor on Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson

Both of those teams easily beat their opponents in the Super Bowl, and it was largely in part to the pressure they were getting on the opposing quarterback.

For the Bears, there's no bigger need this offseason than improving their pass-rushing unit. Whether it's a blockbuster trade for someone like Maxx Crosby, a highly drafted player, or even someone like Trey Hendrickson, the Bears need to address this position.

Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson cannot go through the entire offseason without addressing this unit, as their current cast of pass rushers is far from where they need to be to be seriously considered a Super Bowl contender.

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