The Chicago Bears’ defensive tackle situation is likely to be addressed in both free agency (or trade) and the NFL Draft. Not only was Chicago’s pass rush questionable all season, but they also allowed the sixth most rushing yards in the NFL at 5.0 yards per rush.
The Bears need someone who can push the pocket and get after the quarterback, yet they also need a big body who can anchor and control his gap. Ideally, they find a couple of guys who can do both.
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Here are the Bears’ current defensive tackles.
Grady Jarrett – Signed through 2027 – Jarrett had a slow start to the season, and he missed three games to injury, but every now and again, he’d flash the skills that made him a two-time Pro Bowler. It just didn’t happen enough, considering the three-year, $42.75M deal he signed. He’s not going anywhere in 2026 with a $21M dead cap hit, so I’d like to see the soon-to-be 33-year-old have his snap count scaled back for more quality reps.
Gervon Dexter Sr. – Signed through 2026 – I thought there would be more impact from Dexter in year three. He started all 17 games and had a career high 6 sacks and 6 tackles for loss, but he was kind of just there. He’s heading into his contract year,
Andrew Billings – Free agent – Billings started 14 of the 17 games he played in, and he played his most snaps since 2019. He’ll be 31 in a month, and I have a feeling the Bears will let him walk.
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Chris Williams – Free agent – The Bears brought Williams back on an RFA tender last season, but he seems more like a vet minimum type of player now. He did start playing some reps at defensive end, so perhaps he makes it back to battle for a depth spot again.
Shemar Turner – Signed through 2028 – Last year as a rookie, Turner began the season inside at tackle, but he started to get some defensive end reps before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Week 8.
2026 OUTLOOK – The NFL Draft has plenty of tackles who could be there in the first two days, including Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, who has been mocked to the Bears at 25 quite a bit. His anchor and bull rush would fit in from day one, but his overall pass rush toolbox needs some work.
Zxavian Harris from Mississippi is a big guy (6’8”, 335), who can play up and down the d-line, and further down the board, Cincinnati’s Dontay Corleone is another stout run defender who could use some work on his pass rush.
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The New York Giants’ Dexter Lawrence is drawing trade speculation, and with him coming off a down year and having a $26M cap hit, I could see the Bears checking on his availability.
Denver Broncos free agent John Franklin-Myers is 29 and can rush the passer. Pro Football Focus has him with 3oo pressures since 2020, which is 21st among all defenders.
What do you think the Bears will do at defensive tackle?
