The Chicago Bears are liable to prioritize the pass rush this spring after revamping the offensive line and receiving corps in Ben Johnson’s first offseason with the team, and that could mean in both the draft and free agency.
Chicago’s defense finished 29th in the NFL and tallied just 35 total sacks, which was tied for 22nd in the league. The Bears were also second-to-last (31st overall) in pass-rush win rate with a mark of less than 29 percent.
The Bears should have several options to address their biggest defensive deficiency, though among the best is free agent Jaelan Phillips. Kristopher Knox projected on January 7 that Phillips will ink a deal spanning the next three years for $80 million in total, which translates to a little less than $27 million annually.
“A 2021 first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Phillips tallied 22 sacks over his first two-and-a-half seasons before injuries became a significant issue,” Knox wrote. “He was traded to Philadelphia at the 2025 deadline, and he quickly regained his early elite form.”
Phillips surged in eight games with the Eagles, tallying 17 QB pressures, four tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.
Bears Could Look at Trade for Maxx Crosby, Signing Trey Hendrickson in Free Agency
GettyLas Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.
The reason to avoid Phillips heading is clear: the injury history. He missed nine games in 2023 and 13 games in 2024.
However, he played all 17 contests this year and clearly has not lost his explosiveness. Beyond that, he is well shy of 30 years old (27) and a three-year contract would only carry him through his age-29 campaign.
Beyond that, Phillips and his representation probably can’t successfully negotiate their way out of some contractual safeguards given his health history, which would allow Chicago to protect itself to some degree.
Trey Hendrickson, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, will also be a free agent. However, he is 31 years old and is liable to cost just as much as Phillips, absent incentive-based contractual projections.
Hendrickson also missed 10 games in 2025 and has a more recent history of problematic injuries as an older player, even if it isn’t as long as or as serious as Phillips’ problems have proven to be.
Another option for Chicago, and perhaps the best one, would be to trade for Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. However, that will likely cost two first-round picks plus a more expensive contract over a longer stretch than signing either Phillips or Hendrickson, so the financial impact is larger.
Bears Predicted to Draft Edge-Rusher Cashius Howell in First Round
GettyGeneral manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears.
If the Bears don’t send their 2026 first-round pick out for a pass-rusher, they can use it on a rookie at the position to bolster the unit beyond signing a player like Phillips.
Jordan Reid of ESPN predicted on January 6 that Chicago will select Cashius Howell out of Texas A&M in Round 1.
“Howell would give Chicago a tenacious, energetic edge rusher, as his 11.5 sacks this season were the fourth most in the FBS,” Reid wrote. “Howell’s size (6-foot-2, 248 pounds) and arm length might scare off some teams, but the Bears need a disruptive pass rusher to complement veteran Montez Sweat. Howell would be just that.”
In Reid’s projection, the Bears pick Howell at No. 20. However, after winning in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, Chicago can pick no higher than No. 25. That said, there is still a reasonable chance Howell would be there for the taking at that spot.
Bears Perfect Landing Spot for Projected $80 Million Edge-Rusher