Bears' worst decision of NFL offseason has resulted in a huge DL problem

The Chicago Bears came into the 2026 NFL offseason as a team that finally became a legitimate playoff contender and was looking to rise further into a Super Bowl threat.

While trading away DJ Moore might not have improved the team, and they lost Drew Dalman to a surprise retirement, the Bears did add Dillon Thieneman, Logan Jones, Sam Roush, Coby Bryant, and Devin Bush this past offseason.

However, as ESPN's Bill Barnwell called out, the Bears' worst decision of the offseason has resulted in a huge problem along the defensive line. That issue? The Bears did not address the edge rusher position.

Bears' worst offseason decision was lack of an edge addition

"Worst: Not addressing the edge," Barnwell writes. "... But the Bears still needed to add another player to help their pass rush. The draft might have been a logical place for Poles to look for a solution, but the Bears didn't add anybody to help out on the edge. Chicago also hasn't signed anyone there in free agency."

Coming into the NFL offseason, the Bears very clearly needed to address their edge rusher position. Ranking 30th in pressure rate at 23.7 percent, the Bears would benefit greatly from an edge rusher addition.

However, they didn't sign anyone in free agency, nor did they take anyone in the NFL Draft to help out at the edge rusher spot.

MORE: Bears need Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland to step up with DJ Moore traded

Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and a rotation of mediocre backups will be tasked with improving the edge rusher spot in 2026 for the Bears after not performing well last season.

That might not have to be the case if the Bears go out and sign a free agent or trade for a veteran edge rusher this offseason. There's still time to correct this mistake.

But, unless they sign a Joey Bosa or Haason Reddick, or find a way to trade for Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett, the Bears' edge rusher room will remain a major question mark.

Ryan Poles' decision not to address the edge rusher room is a baffling one, considering how bad it was last season. While their current options should play better, this group needed more help, and the Bears haven't addressed this need at all this offseason.

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