The Chicago Bears are approaching the 2025 NFL free agency period and still have a major need for a starting edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. Their situation worsened in February when they released veteran DeMarcus Walker to free up salary cap space, leaving Austin Booker (a fifth-round pick in 2024), Dominique Robinson (a fifth-round pick in 2022), and Daniel Hardy (an exclusive rights free agent) as the primary backups behind Sweat.
This poses a significant challenge for a defense that plans to rely on its pass rush under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. However, Windy City Gridiron’s Aaron Leming suggests that the Bears could address this issue by signing Indianapolis Colts starter Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency next week.
In his 2025 offseason mock for SB Nation’s Bears-focused site, Leming projected the Bears to secure Odeyingbo with a four-year, $66 million contract, including $39.5 million in guaranteed money, with an estimated cap hit of around $9 million for the 2025 season.
“Odeyingbo had a career-high eight sacks in 2023, but his total dropped to three in 2024 despite a higher pressure rate and a career-best seven tackles for loss,” Leming noted. “While he’s unlikely to be a 10-sack-per-season player, he’s big, versatile, and fits well with Allen’s defensive scheme. Along with a high-round draft pick, he could help the Bears significantly improve their edge-rushing depth.”
Dayo Odeyingbo Would Offer Starter With High Upside
While the edge-rusher market has been focused on high-profile players like Philadelphia Eagles star Josh Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo could be a smart investment for teams looking to improve their pass rush.
Odeyingbo was considered a potential first-round pick before tearing his Achilles while preparing for the 2021 NFL draft. Despite the injury, the Colts took him at No. 54 overall, even after selecting edge rusher Kwity Paye in the first round.
His early production wasn’t immediate, as Odeyingbo played just 10 games as a rookie and recorded only six tackles. However, he has played in every game since then, accumulating 16 sacks despite becoming a starter only in 2024.
The main concern with Odeyingbo is his consistency. He registered a career-high eight sacks as a rotational player in 2023, but his sack total dropped to three in 2024 after becoming a full-time starter and playing a career-high 745 defensive snaps.
That said, Pro Football Focus gave him a solid pass-rushing grade of 74.7 in true pass-rush situations during the 2024 season, suggesting that he may have significant potential if placed in a new system that better suits his skill set.
Could Bears Swing Bigger to Find New Starting Edge?
Odeyingbo could be a solid fit for the Bears at Leming’s proposed price, especially if they pair him with a high draft pick to revamp their defensive front. However, the Bears could opt for a more high-profile addition at the edge-rusher position in free agency.
There are several alternatives available to the Bears beyond Odeyingbo. Sweat, who posted eight sacks during the regular season in 2024 and added 2.5 sacks in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Chiefs, is one of the top talents on the market. Additionally, Las Vegas Raiders starter Malcolm Koonce is emerging as a building-block player, with a breakout 2023 season in which he recorded eight sacks. Although Koonce missed the 2024 season due to a knee injury, he’s on an upward trajectory now that he’s healthy.
The Bears could also explore trade opportunities. While Myles Garrett is the most notable name available, Trey Hendrickson, who had his trade request granted recently, could be a better fit for the Bears. Acquiring Hendrickson might require less draft capital compared to Garrett, and a trade for either player would likely come with a hefty new contract. However, the Bears have the cap space to make such a move if they view an edge rusher as their top priority.
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