Few coaches on the Chicago Bears’ staff are under more pressure this coming season than Jeremy Garrett. His defensive line did not produce as hoped last season. The team only had 35 sacks, with Montez Sweat providing one third of them with 10.5. That is not good enough if you aspire to be a championship team. Yet the team didn’t do much adding to the group aside from some second-tier free agents and 6th round pick Jordan Van Den Berg. Head coach Ben Johnson made it plain as day that the team needed to “coach better” if they wanted positive results this season.
That was unquestionably a warning to Garrett. It’s his job to get the most out of these players, and he didn’t do that last season. So he set to work getting guys ready for 2026, stating his focus was on improving their get-offs, which, he hoped, would increase their pass-rush opportunities. Video of that approach surfaced online from Bears minicamps. It drew the attention of two NFL legends: Six-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy and Hall of Famer Warren Sapp.
Let’s just say neither of them was impressed with Garrett’s approach. In fact, they saw major red flags.
Jeremy Garrett continues to look like a weak link.
McCoy’s complaints center on some key areas. Quarterbacks are behind the center. Defensive linemen should be taught to win their battle with the blocker, then get up the field and chase the QB. Instead, they’re being taught to win the battle and make the tackle immediately. That will create confusion for the linemen because it is a scenario they will never encounter. Then you have the four-point stance. Outside of short-yardage situations, this is never used in the modern NFL. Having players use it in practice is completely pointless.
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This raises questions about how qualified Jeremy Garrett is. Remember, McCoy and Sapp are two of the best defensive tackles ever to play the game. They combined for 156 sacks in their careers. They know a few things about how to play the position correctly. If they’re saying Garrett is doing it wrong, then he is. One must not forget that the Bears’ defensive line coach had limited NFL experience when he arrived last year. He was an assistant defensive line coach in Cleveland for two years and a defensive line coach in Jacksonville for one.
The Bears need to see results.
Johnson doesn’t strike as a head coach who tolerates poor performance for an extended period. If he doesn’t see progress from the defensive line this season, you can bet changes will be coming in 2027. That means players will be replaced and there is a good chance Garrett won’t be safe either. One must not forget that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen fired defensive line coach Bill Johnson in New Orleans after two seasons together. Johnson was on the Saints’ championship team in 2009. Garrett has no such credibility to his name.
Expectations are high this season. The Bears expect to continue competing in the NFC playoff picture. For that to happen, they need solid contributions from the defensive front. This season’s schedule is tough. Several good teams with good quarterbacks. Getting after them will be the difference between wins and losses. Leaning on Caleb Williams‘ late-game magic is not sustainable. Chicago must start playing complementary football. Garrett’s unit has more responsibility for that than most.
