The Bears during year 1 of the Ben Johnson era had a hit and miss defense that had a high ceiling but was very inconsistent as they ranked well below average in both points and yards allowed despite having elite defensive performances against high level offenses in the Lions, Packers, and Cowboys. In year 1 of the Ben Johnson era the team also was in the first year under veteran defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. If the team plans on contending for a Super Bowl in year 2 under Dennis Allen as the defensive coordinator, then not just his coaching but also the team’s defensive personnel will need to be better as well. Here I will go into detail assessing the front seven personnel of the Bears entering the 2026 season.
Set to start at the first edge defender spot is former first rounder Montez Sweat who is very productive as a starter in the NFL. Sweat in every season outside of his rookie year has graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall defense grade among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus. Sweat has graded in the borderline elite to elite range in that department a few times as well, garnering a Pro Bowl selection on one occasion as well.
Veteran Grady Jarrett is set to start at the first of the two primary interior defensive line spots and is very productive although having a down year last year as he has now begun to age. Jarrett in his first ten seasons in the NFL graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall defense grade among players at his position, including an elite ranking a few times as well. Jarrett warranted two Pro Bowl selections and one second team All-Pro selection in that time as well. Jarrett however had a career worst year in 2025 playing at 32 years old and will now play next season at 33. So, it remains to be seen if he is over the hill or if he can recapture his prime form going forward as a starter.
2023 2nd rounder Gervon Dexter Sr is set to start at the other primary interior defensive line spot for Chicago and has underwhelmed as such a high draft pick. However, Dexter Sr after a meager rookie season played very well in year 2 in the NFL, grading in the well above average range among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus. Before he of course regressed in 2025, ranking nearly exactly average in that department. As Dexter Sr heads into year 2 under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, perhaps he can live up to his star potential.
2021 second rounder Dayo Odeyingbo is set to start at the other primary edge defender spot and is unfortunately the current weak link in the Bears’ starting front seven. Odeyingbo, despite being drafted so highly, has graded in the below average range in four of five seasons and only slightly above average the remaining time. Perhaps he can come into his own heading into year 2 under Dennis Allen, but he remains a prime candidate to transition to a reserve role at some point next season.
Former first rounder Devin Bush is the first starting linebacker for the Bears and has really come into his own over the past few seasons in the NFL. As a linebacker who was drafted so highly, in the top ten, which is rare for a linebacker to be taken so high, he had superstar expectations entering the NFL. After his first four seasons with the Steelers and Seahawks he was viewed as a massive bust producing at consistently a below average to a poor rate after showing some promise in years 1 and 2. However, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Browns, he came into his own, grading as among the premier linebackers in the sport both seasons. As Bush now enters year 1 with the Bears, he will be expected to retain his elite form.
Veteran linebacker T.J Edwards is the second starting linebacker and is a highly productive player who is among the better if not the best overall linebackers in the sport. Outside of an aberration year in 2023 where he graded below average, Edwards has graded in the well above average to elite range among all linebackers on a perennial basis, including being graded as a top four overall linebacker in two separate seasons. During the 2022 season, Edwards was graded as the second-best overall linebacker in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus taking over 1000 snaps, a remarkable feat.
Rounding out the Bears’ starting front seven is D’Marco Jackson who is transitioning to a starting role for the first time in his career next season. Jackson hardly played in years 1 and 2 in 2023 and 2024 but then blossomed in 2025, ranking as the fifth best overall linebacker in the sport according to Pro Football Focus taking over 260 snaps. Given his elite play in limited reserve snaps, he has earned a starting role where he can now potentially thrive.
From a depth standpoint in the front seven the Bears have several notable names that could serve the team well in backup roles and/or could transition to a starting spot at some point. 2025 2nd round defensive tackle Shemar Turner struggled as a rookie but still has not had enough of a chance to prove himself yet. While former undrafted linebacker Nephi Sewell has looked elite in about 120 career snaps, however. Not to mention linebacker Jon Rhattigan playing very well in about one games worth of career NFL action. The Bears also have several players who have a high ceiling in their reserve unit as well.
Overall, the Bears have one of the most talented front sevens in the NFL heading into next season and a breakdown of the unit can be found below. Although they have some concerns with their starting interior defensive line duo, as both players are talented but as of now both are perhaps too old/too inconsistent. While starting edge defender Dayo Odeyingbo is likely better suited as a backup and is the current weak link in the starting lineup.
2026 Projected Bears’ Starting Front Seven
LDE – Montez Sweat – B+ to A-
LDT – Grady Jarrett – B-, was consistently B+ to A- before career worst year in ’25 playing at 32 years old
RDT – Gervon Dexter Sr – B-, 2023 2nd rounder, has shown lots of promise, but too inconsistent
RDE – Dayo Odeyingbo – C to C+, 2021 2nd rounder
WLB – Devin Bush – A-
MLB – T.J Edwards – B+ to A-
SLB – D’Marco Jackson – A in limited reserve snaps
2026 Notable Bears’ Front Seven Reserves
DT – Shemar Turner – D as rookie in ’25, 2025 2nd rounder
DT – James Lynch – C+ to B-
LB – Nephi Sewell – A in very limited snaps
LB – Jon Rhattigan – B+ in about one games worth of snaps
