The Chicago Bears filled needs in the opening two rounds of April’s NFL draft, then took a couple of fliers on pass-catchers in Round 3 before finding strong value at cornerback and linebacker on the final day of the proceedings — but the team added no pass-rushers to the fold.
That probably means the team is betting on the internal development of Austin Booker and Shemar Turner, the latter of whom is likely kicking outside to defensive end on a permanent basis after an injury-shortened rookie campaign in 2025, as well Dayo Odeyingbo coming back healthy and far more productive than he was in the first season of his three-year $48 million deal.
Any of the three hitting double-digit sacks to match, or exceed, the 10 sacks that Montez Sweat produced last season (and hopefully can again in 2026) is something of a long shot, though not outside the realm of realistic hope.
That said, there is plenty of room for depth and experience at the backend of the position group, former Green Bay Packers edge Preston Smith is a low-cost option in free agency.
Preston Smith’s Production Has Waned Over Past 2 Seasons
GettyFree agent edge-rusher Preston Smith.
Chicago has a little less than $10.8 million in salary cap space as of Sunday, May 3. Smith’s projected market value is just $2.2 million on a one-year deal in 2026.
Smith has 71 career sacks, though he mustered just two tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks across 13 games with the Washington Commanders during his age-33 campaign last season. He produced 4.5 sacks in 2024.
Nearing the end of his career, Smith may still be able to function as a situational pass-rusher in what would be his 12th professional campaign. Those with that skill set have proven to possess a greater career longevity than many other NFL player types, and bounce-back campaigns off weak seasons in one’s mid-30s are more common for specialized edge defenders, based on statistics.
The Bears’ brain trust of head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles assumed the back half of pass-rusher Joe Tyron-Shoyinka‘s contract ($4.75 million) at least year’s mid-season trade deadline, sending the Cleveland Browns a seventh-round pick in exchange.
The former first-rounder put up two sacks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024 before tallying zero across eight contests with Cleveland to start last year. Tyron-Shoyinka ended up tallying 2.5 total sacks for Chicago down the stretch of the regular season before inking a $1.4 million deal to join the Philadelphia Eagles in April.
Bears Could Go More Expensive Route and Pursue Pass-Rusher Like Cameron Jordan
GettyDefensive end Cameron Jordan, formerly of the New Orleans Saints.
Chicago’s actions during the middle of last season to add a pass-rusher in Tyron-Shoyinka, and the team’s lack of action thus far this spring to do so either via free agency or the draft, renders the Bears contenders to acquire someone off the edge in the coming weeks/months.
Whether that is Smith remains to be seen, though a player like him — a veteran at a low price point on a short-term contract — is the most likely addition to the position group.
The Las Vegas Raiders might reopen trade talks involving Maxx Crosby by the summer, but his price is going to be steep and draft capital regarding an unusually strong crop of players in 2027 is at even more of a premium than it would otherwise be.
Slightly more expensive free-agent options than Smith who had more productive years in 2025 included Jadeveon Clowney and Cameron Jordan, most recently of the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, respectively.
Bears Viable Suitors for Ex-Packers Pass-Rusher After Whiffing in NFL Draft