This WCG roundtable series was inspired by this Tweet from our guy Jacob, who gave six 2026 Chicago Bears superlatives for the offseason. We’re going to take them one by one, and we’ll give a couple two tree sentences for each of our choices.
Next up is the Bears player who is facing a make-or-break season.
Jacob Infante: Bears fans better hope that Motivated Dayo Odeyingbo is real, as the team invested very little this offseason in a defensive line that was subpar last year. Chicago saves $15 million
by releasing him next offseason; if Odeyingbo repeats his 2025 performance, this will be his last year with the team.
Erik Duerrwaechter: Rome Odunze – I’ve always been a big fan of his since the draft process leading into his selection at 9th overall for the Bears. Last year he blasted the doors down and led the league in several categories before injuries derailed his progress. Also, his tendency to drop passes in key moments during the 2nd half of the season led to Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland getting more plays designed to get them the ball. With DJ Moore no longer on the team Rome Odunze is the clear cut WR1. Unless he’s not, and someone else steps up to assume that title. It’s definitely “make or break” for Rome’s chances at being WR1 as we enter year 3 of his career.
Sam Householder: Give me Rome Odunze. While there are plenty of defensive candidates, Odunze had an up-and-down sophomore season. Fair or unfair, I think there is real pressure on him to step up this year and earn a long future with the team.
Josh Sunderbruch: Caleb Williams – He’s already great; now he needs to also be good.
Ryan Droste: Montez Sweat – The Bears invested big money in him after obtaining him via trade, and he’s been very good at times. But he also seems to disappear at other times. We need to see him contribute consistently this year. 2027 is the final year of his five-year contract.
Bryan Orenchuk: Gervon Dexter Sr. – No way around it. Everyone knew Chicago needed to add major talent at DT, and they opted against doing so. Setting the table for a massive opportunity for Big Dex. If he can capitalize, he’ll earn a massive pay raise for The Beloved. If he flops, he may get cut mid-season.
Donald Gooch: Tyrique Stevenson had an up-and-down season as the #2 CB. He was torched by St. Brown in the Detroit game and effectively lost his job, although he continued to see the field. According to his position coach, he had a recovery in the back of the season, but with the selection of Malik Muhammad in the draft, Stephenson will have to win the job and hold it to have a future with the Bears after 2026.
Jeff Berckes: I think some Bears players will be playing for a contract elsewhere as the team building and cap will push them off the roster. The one guy I think who has the most at stake is Braxton Jones. He’s got a runway to the starting LT position on an offense with designs to finish as a top 5 unit, many primetime games, and a hopefully deep playoff run. If he can step up and play well, he’ll be a wealthy individual come March of 2027.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: The Bears decided to mostly ignore the defensive line this offseason, partly because they paid a bunch of money to Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo last year. They can move on from one or both following the season for a relatively minimal cap hit, so 2026 could be the last stand for both players in the Navy and Orange.
Who is your pick for the Bears player facing a make-or-break season in 2026?
