The Chicago Bears went into the 2025 offseason with a clear agenda: upgrade the trenches. Most of the focus was on the offensive line, with names like Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman all arriving. The successes of those moves made it easier to overlook how poorly the team’s investments on the defensive line went. While Grady Jarrett was at least serviceable at defensive tackle, the biggest flop of the offseason by a wide margin was defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.
It was well known that the Bears needed another pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat. Odeyingbo had solid success with the Colts in Indianapolis. However, many had misgivings about the move. They felt a guy who lacked explosiveness and had benefited from playing next to DeForest Buckner was not worth the $16 million per year Chicago ultimately gave him. This was proven correct when he managed just one sack in eight games before tearing his Achilles in the win over Cincinnati.
Now the team is right back where they started, looking for solutions up front. With the Bears likely to at least dabble in free agency this year, here are some available names who give off Odeyingbo vibes.
These free agents feel like Dayo Odeyingbo risk levels.
LT Cam Robinson
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Projected contract: $13 million per year
It isn’t a secret that the Bears need left tackle help. Ozzy Trapilo won’t be ready for the start of the regular season. Braxton Jones is a free agent. They need to find somebody who can either be a full-time replacement or at least a temporary bridge. The popular name coming up is Robinson. It makes sense. He’s started 114 games in his career and is still 31 years old, so he’s not completely over the hill. The problem is that experience doesn’t always equal reliability. Jordan started most of last season for the Cleveland Browns. He allowed 39 pressures and eight sacks in just 12 games. His run-blocking wasn’t any better. This is not somebody you should be paying even half of what he’ll require.
EDGE Joey Bosa
Projected contract: $13.7 million
If there is one thing the NFL teaches, it’s that it pays to be a big name. Even when you’re clearly past your prime, teams will still pay you significant money in the hopes they can squeeze one last great season out of you. That is where Bosa is at. There is no doubt he was a star for the Chargers in his first several seasons, but that isn’t the player he’s been for a long time. Bosa’s reputation has gone from top-tier pass rusher to injury-prone. He has not played a full season since 2021. That was the last time he had double-digit sacks as well. Yes, the Bears need pass rush help, but they can’t be throwing money at somebody clearly on the downside of his career.
| Year | Team | Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | San Diego Chargers | 12 |
| 2017 | Los Angeles Chargers | 16 |
| 2018 | Los Angeles Chargers | 7 |
| 2019 | Los Angeles Chargers | 16 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Chargers | 12 |
| 2021 | Los Angeles Chargers | 16 |
| 2022 | Los Angeles Chargers | 5 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles Chargers | 9 |
| 2024 | Los Angeles Chargers | 14 |
| 2025 | Buffalo Bills | 15 |
DT John Franklin-Myers
Projected contract: $7.87 million per year
This is a case of the numbers being wrong. Franklin-Myers has established himself as a really good interior pass rusher with 14 sacks over the past two seasons in Denver. There is nothing teams value more these days than somebody who can create pressure up the middle. Rest assured, the listed contract number is wrong. Franklin-Myer will command significantly more. First, it’s because the rest of the 2026 free agent class is weak. Second? So is the incoming draft class. There is an overall dearth of interior pass rushers this year. That will make the market to acquire Franklin-Myers white hot. There is no way the Bears are in any position to outbid anybody, once again reiterating how difficult that Dayo Odeyingbo contract makes things.
LB Demario Davis
Projected contract: $9.47 million per year
Dennis Allen has a long-standing relationship with the former Pro Bowl linebacker. They did great work together in New Orleans. It’s common knowledge that Chicago will likely cut Tremaine Edmunds in the next few weeks to free up cap space. However, that will leave a considerable void at the position. Absent of clear options, it would make sense for Allen to seek a familiar face to help shore things up. The problem is that Davis is 37 years old. Paying a player that age over $9 million is never a wise decision, especially when they play a non-premium position. Davis is still a productive player. There is no question of that. It’s just that there is no telling how much longer he has, and the Bears have to think about getting younger at that position.
