Everybody is convinced the Chicago Bears are locked in on targeting an edge rusher with their 25th overall pick in the 1st round next month. The organization hasn’t taken one that high since Leonard Floyd in 2016. The team has desperately needed another option opposite Montez Sweat. By all accounts, this draft class is stacked at the position, giving them a great opportunity to find a true difference-maker. However, all of these discussions have glossed over a key factor in all of this: Austin Booker.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reiterated recently that the Bears are much higher on the young defensive end than people realize. It is enough to believe that they aren’t anxious to upset his development. That is why they haven’t signed a prominent free agent, and it could be why they don’t draft an edge rusher in the 1st round.
“If Austin Booker can pick up where he left off at the end of last season, that’s one way for the Bears to be better rushing the passer. We saw him playing at a pretty high level for a little less than half a season. If Booker is healthy and can make a jump from Year 2 to Year 3 like he did from his rookie season to 2025 (once he got healthy), they’ll have an interesting player. Is that a lock to happen? Of course not. But I believe the Bears are optimistic about his career arc.”
The Bears knew Booker would be a project when they drafted him in the 5th round two years ago. It would require patience and work to get him up to speed. Everything was going well last summer. He’d dominated the preseason and looked great in training camp. Then he injured his knee.
Austin Booker quietly saved the Bears defense.
Through the first seven games of the season, all of which he missed with the knee issue, the Bears gave up at least 24 points in four of them. After returning in week nine, the Bears’ defense allowed 24 or more in four of the final ten games. The improvement was pretty clear. While far from perfect, Booker’s addition to the pass rush is starting to force turnovers more regularly and get the team off the field on 3rd down. Chicago actually gave up fewer than 20 points five times. Booker was a major factor in all of it. The numbers don’t lie.
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| Week | Opponent | Pressures | Pass Rush Snaps | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | at Cincinnati Bengals | 1 | 24 | 1.0 |
| 10 | vs New York Giants | 5 | 38 | 0.0 |
| 11 | at Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 29 | 0.0 |
| 12 | vs Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | 26 | 0.0 |
| 13 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 3 | 31 | 0.0 |
| 14 | at Green Bay Packers | 3 | 28 | 0.0 |
| 15 | vs Cleveland Browns | 4 | 33 | 2.0 |
| 16 | vs Green Bay Packers | 4 | 30 | 0.5 |
| 17 | at San Francisco 49ers | 1 | 22 | 1.0 |
| 18 | vs Detroit Lions | 3 | 24 | 0.0 |
| WC | vs Green Bay Packers | 3 | 21 | 1.0 |
| DIV | vs Los Angeles Rams | 1 | 18 | 0.0 |
| Total | 33 | 324 | 5.5 |
If Booker had played a full season, he would’ve finished with eight sacks and 49 total pressures. That would’ve been the best campaign for a homegrown Bears pass rusher since Mark Anderson way back in 2006. This would explain why the Bears are eager to see what he can do in 2026. They feel he is scratching the surface of something big. Remember, Austin Booker is still only 23 years old. He is coming into his physical prime and is no doubt gaining confidence from how he finished last season.
The Bears don’t feel the need to force the issue.
That is the underlying point of this. If Booker weren’t on the team, there is no question Chicago would’ve signed a veteran two weeks ago and would be locked in on the best possible options in the 1st round. His presence means the Bears are not edge rusher-or-bust at #25. Sure, if a really good player at the position sits on the board, they’ll take him. However, if the best possibilities are picked clean, and they often are that late in the 1st round, they won’t feel conflicted by pivoting to another position.
They need help at defensive tackle, safety, and linebacker. Wide receiver could also be in play after sacrificing D.J. Moore via trade. Their options are open. Beyond all of that, the Bears are taking the right approach. If you want your young players to develop properly, you must let them play. Booker showed enough on tape last season to justify giving him more time. His knee is healthy, and his confidence is ascending. Let it play out rather than trying to force the issue.
