The Chicago Bears’ 28-21 defeat at the hands of the Packers didn’t hinge on offensive miscues, a rookie mistake, or poor game management. It came down to something far simpler, and far more alarming…
The Bears still don’t have a pass rush. And it’s officially become the defining flaw of their season.
Harrison Graham put it bluntly: Chicago’s defensive line is “pretty obviously the weakest part of this football team.” And it’s hard to argue.
Against Green Bay, the Bears couldn’t get pressure when they rushed four. They couldn’t get pressure when they blitzed. They couldn’t get pressure with stunts, games, or extra rusher.
In fact, Love was 9 of 12 passing for 171 yards, three touchdown passes and a 156.3 passer rating when the Bears blitz per PFF.
A Weak Link That Finally Snapped
GettyBears DE Montez Sweat
Behind Montez Sweat, nothing threatens opposing offenses.
Gervon Dexter Sr. hasn’t done anything in weeks. Grady Jarrett looks washed. Austin Booker and the rotation pieces have effort but not juice. And with injuries thinning out an already thin room, the Bears are left trying to win games with a defensive line that rarely dictates anything.
What makes the loss even more painful is the context: the Packers’ offensive line was beat up and filled with backups. They had:
- Rookie Anthony Belton starting
- Backup center Sean Rhyan
- And struggling veteran Aaron Banks
- With normal tackles Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker
A unit that was barely league-average before the injuries still managed to control the Chicago Bears’ defensive front. Criticize Dennis Allen for slow adjustments if you want, but there’s only so much any coordinator can do when his front four offers nothing.
Chicago’s defensive backs have bailed out the pass rush all year, leading the league with 17 takeaways. But even the best coverage units eventually collapse when quarterbacks have all day to throw.
Jordan Love finished 17 of 25 for 234 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception, a performance that felt even more effortless than the numbers show.
A Loss That Clarifies the Bears’ Offseason Maybe More Than Any Other
GettyBears Defensive Linemen Montez Sweat and Gervon Dexter Sr.
The Chicago Bears’ subpar defensive line has been a storyline hiding in plain sight all season. Sunday simply exposed the old one for everyone to see.
- No. 29 defensive line by PFF entering the week
- Jarrett ranks 94th of 129 at his position
- Only 24 sacks on the season (tied for 27th in the NFL)
This makes the Bears offseason plan clear as day: Spend. Heavy. In. The. Trenches.
Some potential paths are:
- DJ Reader (Ben Johnson reunion candidate)
- Cam Jordan / Calais Campbell (respected veterans)
- A top draft pick spent on a true edge rusher
- Or maybe even a blockbuster deal for some elite edge like Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett
Whatever route they choose, the Bears can’t run this back. Not if they want to win games like the one they just dropped and definitely not if they want to be taken seriously as contenders in 2026.
Cuz until Chicago fixes the pass rush, games like Sunday will be inevitable.
Major Bears Problem Resurfaces in Brutal Loss to Packers