Another Chicago Bears pending free agent is taking his talents elsewhere for the 2026 season amid the latest news from the NFL’s legal tampering period.
According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Houston Texans have agreed to terms with former Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson on a one-year contract worth up to $4 million. The 2022 fifth-round pick played 48 games for Chicago, largely as a backup.
Robinson had arguably his best season with the Bears in 2025, tallying 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in 12 regular-season games. He also added a sack and a forced fumble as a rotational pass rusher during Chicago’s playoff run.
Unfortunately for the Bears, Robinson — a draft project in 2022 — never unlocked the potential that the front office believed it had identified in him. He was a raw talent who had only played about two seasons at defensive end when the Bears originally took him, and he finished his four-year stint in Chicago with just 4.5 sacks, counting the playoffs.
Robinson’s deal with the Texans will not become official until the league year turns over to 2026 at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.
Bears Staying Away From Big-Money Pass Rushers
The Bears have plenty of time to pursue some pass rushers on the free-agent market, but the first wave of negotiations has made it clear that Chicago is staying away from some of the most sought-after options among this year’s pending free agency class.
On the first day of legal tampering, the Bears have watched as other teams have signed several of the top available pass rushers to big-money contracts, including Odafe Oweh (Commanders for $25 million annually) and Jaelen Phillips (Panthers at $30 million annually). Kwity Paye also signed for $16 million annually with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Trey Hendrickson remains unsigned, but expectations are that he will sign for upwards of $20 million per season — which fits into the “too expensive” column for the Bears.
Under different financial circumstances, the Bears might have pursued one of the top pass rushers more aggressively, but it is harder to do so when three of the Bears’ largest six cap hits belong to D-linemen — Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett. Even Maxx Crosby, for all of his immense talent, would have been tough to make work.
The Bears did agree to terms on a two-year, $12 million contract with veteran defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, giving them an interior depth piece with pass-rushing tools, but don’t be surprised if the rest of their D-line upgrades come in the NFL draft.
Will Bears Place Greater Priority on EDGE or IDL?
Vocal groups of the Bears fanbase will insist to the bitter end that the team needed to sign a veteran pass rusher in 2026 free agency to be successful, but the reality is that reloading the defensive trenches with talent from the draft always made the most sense.
Not only are the Bears stuck paying out more than $61 million combined to their top three defensive linemen in 2026, but they are also looking at a draft class that is strong at both edge rusher and defensive tackle; although, deeper off the edge as a whole. At No. 25 overall in the Round 1, the Bears should have a chance to land an impact starter.
The Bears will also place another second-round pick (No. 60 overall) in their pocket when they officially complete their DJ Moore trade with the Buffalo Bills on the first day of the new league year on Wednesday, March 11. Chicago could either use the pick to double up on talent at the back of the round or use it as trade bait to move up.
Either way, three picks between Nos. 25 and 60 should afford the Bears opportunities to improve the depth of their defensive line — and quell the masses in due time.
Bears Pass Rusher Bolts to Sign New Deal With AFC Contender