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The Chicago Bears will soon embark on their beginning of training camp, looking to build off their 11-win season in 2025, as head coach Ben Johnson enters his second year leading the team.
For the first time since 2018, the Bears, led by Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, won the NFC North division and made it to the NFC divisional playoffs where they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams.
With training camp just around the corner, the good vibes and happy feelings over last season will officially be put to rest, and the focus on this year becomes crystal clear. Here at Bears Wire, we are taking a look at one defensive player at each position group to keep an eye on throughout camp to see the impact they could have and for some, if they can make the roster.
After missing out on most of the season last year due to injury, Dayo Odeyingbo may be the most watched player on the entire Bears roster. Odeyingbo should serve as the complement to Montez Sweat at the pass rusher position, and it is the biggest need on the roster to help take the team's defense to the next level. While Sweat led the team with 10 sacks last year, the second top edge rusher in that category was Austin Booker, who finished with just 4.5 sacks. Chicago needs Odeyingbo to step up as he enters in the second season of a three-year, $48 million contract he signed before the 2025 season.
Not only do the Bears need help at the edge rush position, they need a lot more talent to step up on the defensive line, which is where rookie Jordan van den Berg can make a significant impact. A sixth-round pick in this year's draft class for Chicago, van den Berg was praised for his athletic ability and the opportunities that are available for the taking for him on the Bears defensive line. Veterans Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter are going to need a young talent to step up and take the pressure off them, while giving them time to breathe on the field as well.
After losing veteran Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, the Bears made two signings to shore up their linebacker core, one of which was reuniting Jack Sanborn with Chicago, and the other, signing Devin Bush after a standout season with the Cleveland Browns. The Bears defense was lacking speed and versatility, Bush provides both of those, although he's never been a true standout premier player at the linebacker position in comparison to others around the league. Aligning next to T.J. Edwards should open the field for plenty of playmaking opportunities for Bush, and they're going to need him to build off his recent time with the Browns.
Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon have to get healthy at the cornerback position, but with the departure of Nahshon Wright in free agency, Tyrique Stevenson is back in the spotlight to help lead Chicago's secondary. Stevenson has shown the ability to find the ball and go make plays by grabbing interceptions, pulling down four picks as a rookie, but he's seen that amount decrease over the past two seasons. This is the final year on Stevenson's contract, so he can either show his talents around the league or prove to Chicago that he is worth bringing back if he can step up as the No. 2 cornerback this season.
The biggest free agency splash by Chicago is Dillon Thieneman's running mate at the safety position in Coby Bryant, but after the Bears spent their first-round pick on the rookie out of Oregon, Thieneman has to show out in his first year. Thieneman and Bryant will serve as great complements to one another for their speed and versatility, two traits already highlighted as needs for the Bears defense, and they both will have to help take over for veterans Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, who were both fan favorites. Thieneman was also a clean tackler which will help limit the big plays that plagued the Bears defense last season.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 1 Bears player to watch at each position on defense in training camp
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For the first time since 2018, the Bears, led by Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, won the NFC North division and made it to the NFC divisional playoffs where they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams.
With training camp just around the corner, the good vibes and happy feelings over last season will officially be put to rest, and the focus on this year becomes crystal clear. Here at Bears Wire, we are taking a look at one defensive player at each position group to keep an eye on throughout camp to see the impact they could have and for some, if they can make the roster.
EDGE: Dayo Odeyingbo
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After missing out on most of the season last year due to injury, Dayo Odeyingbo may be the most watched player on the entire Bears roster. Odeyingbo should serve as the complement to Montez Sweat at the pass rusher position, and it is the biggest need on the roster to help take the team's defense to the next level. While Sweat led the team with 10 sacks last year, the second top edge rusher in that category was Austin Booker, who finished with just 4.5 sacks. Chicago needs Odeyingbo to step up as he enters in the second season of a three-year, $48 million contract he signed before the 2025 season.
Defensive tackle: Jordan van den Berg
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Not only do the Bears need help at the edge rush position, they need a lot more talent to step up on the defensive line, which is where rookie Jordan van den Berg can make a significant impact. A sixth-round pick in this year's draft class for Chicago, van den Berg was praised for his athletic ability and the opportunities that are available for the taking for him on the Bears defensive line. Veterans Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter are going to need a young talent to step up and take the pressure off them, while giving them time to breathe on the field as well.
Linebacker: Devin Bush
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After losing veteran Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, the Bears made two signings to shore up their linebacker core, one of which was reuniting Jack Sanborn with Chicago, and the other, signing Devin Bush after a standout season with the Cleveland Browns. The Bears defense was lacking speed and versatility, Bush provides both of those, although he's never been a true standout premier player at the linebacker position in comparison to others around the league. Aligning next to T.J. Edwards should open the field for plenty of playmaking opportunities for Bush, and they're going to need him to build off his recent time with the Browns.
Cornerback: Tyrique Stevenson
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Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon have to get healthy at the cornerback position, but with the departure of Nahshon Wright in free agency, Tyrique Stevenson is back in the spotlight to help lead Chicago's secondary. Stevenson has shown the ability to find the ball and go make plays by grabbing interceptions, pulling down four picks as a rookie, but he's seen that amount decrease over the past two seasons. This is the final year on Stevenson's contract, so he can either show his talents around the league or prove to Chicago that he is worth bringing back if he can step up as the No. 2 cornerback this season.
Safety: Dillon Thieneman
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The biggest free agency splash by Chicago is Dillon Thieneman's running mate at the safety position in Coby Bryant, but after the Bears spent their first-round pick on the rookie out of Oregon, Thieneman has to show out in his first year. Thieneman and Bryant will serve as great complements to one another for their speed and versatility, two traits already highlighted as needs for the Bears defense, and they both will have to help take over for veterans Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, who were both fan favorites. Thieneman was also a clean tackler which will help limit the big plays that plagued the Bears defense last season.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 1 Bears player to watch at each position on defense in training camp
Continue reading...
