The Chicago Bears are gearing for their return to Halas Hall for the start of training camp, where second-year head coach Ben Johnson will prepare his team for what's shaping up to be a thrilling 2026 season. Rookies and quarterbacks have already reported to camp, and the veterans aren't far behind.
If the Bears are going to repeat as NFC North champions this upcoming season, they will need their defense to step up and play consistently at every level. Last year, the Bears' defense led the league in takeaways but too often failed to generate enough pressure up front. Quite a few notable players left, with new faces taking their place, such as safeties Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman and linebacker Devin Bush.
With so much turnover, there are
plenty of questions and storylines to monitor as camp gets underway. We're taking a look at some burning questions on defense as they work to establish a new identity under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
1. Who will step up at EDGE opposite Montez Sweat?
The Bears played musical chairs at edge rusher last season opposite Montez Sweat for a variety of reasons, and it remains to be seen who will produce consistently to help improve a poor pass rush. Dayo Odeyingbo was a marquee signing last year and was ineffective for the first half of the season before suffering a torn Achilles injury, while second-round pick Shemar Turner played sparingly prior to suffering a torn ACL. Austin Booker seemed to stabilize the position in the second half of the season after returning from his own injury, but can he put it all together in Year 3 to be the answer? We also still need to see how Odeyingbo and Turner return from their injuries, making EDGE one of the more intriguing positions on the team.
2. Can Grady Jarrett find the Fountain of Youth?
Last offseason, the Bears tried to solve their defensive tackle woes by signing former Atlanta Falcons standout Grady Jarrett to a three-year deal. Jarrett had long been a staple with the Falcons and brought needed leadership to the defensive line. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for his play on the field. The two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle was slowed down by injuries early in the season and finished with just 39 tackles (one for loss), 1.5 sacks, and three passes defensed. Jarrett's play has diminished in recent years, and at 33 years old, it's difficult to see him returning to the player that dominated the NFC South in the late 2010s and early 2020s. But Jarrett knows he has to pick it up this season, and with a full offseason in the same system, perhaps he will find one more impactful year and become a difference maker once again.
3. Who is the odd man out at linebacker?
The Bears retooled their linebacking corps this offseason, saying goodbye to veterans such as Tremaine Edmunds and Amen Ogbongbemiga and bringing in Devin Bush and Jack Sanborn. But the biggest question at the position has to be the battle between TJ Edwards and D'Marco Jackson for who will man middle linebacker. Jackson was re-signed this offseason after his impressive showing late last season as an injury replacement, while Edwards is working his way back from a fractured fibula he suffered during the postseason. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had success with both players playing the MIKE spot in 2025, and Jackson's recent deal suggests he's in line to be a starter. But don't count out Edwards just yet, who could excel playing next to the speedy Bush. This will be another position battle worth watching.
4. What's going on with Kyler Gordon?
Perhaps the biggest question for the Bears as a whole is the situation regarding cornerback Kyler Gordon. After signing a three-year extension last offseason, Gordon had as many injured reserve stints as he did regular season games played (three) before returning for the playoffs. However, the injury bug is continuing to hamper Gordon, as he didn't participate in the team's offseason workouts and will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Head coach Ben Johnson showed visible frustration with Gordon's lack of progress, and it's fair to question whether or not he can be counted on as a key player moving forward. The Bears signed free agent Cam Lewis and drafted Malik Muhammad, who both could be options at the nickel position. Gordon elevates the defense when he's healthy, but the best ability is availability. We'll see how long he's out for and what the Bears plan to do with him once he returns.
5. How long will it take for Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman to build chemistry?
Building chemistry in the NFL is vital to any team's success, but it takes time to build. With the Bears introducing two new starters in a brand-new scheme, it's not fair to expect Bryant and Thieneman to fully mesh and play off one another seamlessly immediately as the team's new safety tandem. Training camp will be a vital period for both players to get comfortable with not only one another but also the system implemented by Allen. And that's if Thieneman even starts right away, which may not happen. These two safeties have similar traits and should be a dynamic duo at some point during the year. We may just have to experience a few bumps along the way while they work through their chemistry.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 burning questions for Bears defense heading into training camp
