Bears OTAs Top Defensive Storylines: Chicago hopes better coaching boosts the pass rush, what to make of the CB depth
The Chicago Bears will open organized team activities on Wednesday with plenty of questions swirling about the defensive side of the ball after Dennis Allen overhauled his unit going into his second season as defensive coordinator.
The Chicago Bears are one day away from kicking off organized team activities and after breaking down the top offensive storylines on Monday, it’s time to turn the attention to the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen overhauled his unit this offseason after inheriting the majority of his starters in 2025 from Matt Eberflus’ old personnel. The goal was to add more players that fit his aggressive scheme with an emphasis on adding more team speed.
The one position Allen failed to add to this offseason was at defensive end, despite the struggles the defensive line had last season consistently rushing the passer. Which leads us straight into our first top defensive storyline.
Chicago Bears top defensive storylines to watch at OTAs
How the Bears plan to get more out of the pass rush, especially at defensive end
On paper, the Bears will enter OTAs with essentially the exact same defensive ends the unit had last season that combined for just 18 sacks and 135 total pressures. That group consists of Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy, and Jamree Kromah. We will see tomorrow how far along Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) and Shemar Turner (ACL) are in their respective injury recoveries.
The Bears believe an improved back seven will force opposing quarterbacks to hold on to the ball longer in 2026, allowing this group to hit home more consistently in 2026. The staff is also planning to give the group better coaching, focusing more on technique and details as opposed to teaching the scheme early on in the offseason program.
“We’ve been out at practice, and you can see the improvement of the guys,” DL coach Jeremy Garrett told reporters last Thursday. “You spend two weeks and all I’m watching is individual. I’m not watching the scheme. I’m watching our get off, our pad level, I’m watching our drill work. We’re correcting that. We’re fixing that. That’s been really good. It’s been really good for our guys and really good for our room.”
Which cornerbacks can stand out with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon not expected to be in attendance?
On Monday, we broke down the situation with Jaylon Johnson, who’s expected to skip the voluntary portion of the offseason until mandatory minicamp begins on June 9. However, the Bears will also potentially be without nickel Kyler Gordon, who’s dealing with yet another soft tissue injury. In the meantime, it’s next man up.
“We’re going to talk about the guys that’s been out there,” DBs coach Al Harris told reporters Thursday when asked about Johnson’s absence. “I have no doubt that, fully healthy, we’ll get what we need to see. I have no doubt about that at all.”
The main player to watch at the CB position is Tyrique Stevenson. After an inconsistent first three years that included 40 starts but also multiple trips to the bench, Harris said that he’s seen a different energy from Stevenson going into the final year of his contract. With Johnson out, he’s expected to be the team’s #1 CB during OTAs.
With Gordon out, the Bears will likely continue training fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad in the slot, or put veteran Cam Lewis inside and have Muhammad train opposite Stevenson on the outside. Regardless, the plan seems to be that the rookie will cross-train at both positions throughout the offseason based on what we saw during rookie minicamp.
Another player to watch his Terell Smith. Smitty earned some praise last offseason before suffering a torn patellar tendon. Like Stevenson, Smith is entering the final year of his rookie contract and looking to maximize his opportunities in 2026 after previously starting six games in his first two seasons.
Chicago’s new safety duo finally gets to take the field together
After letting All-Pro team captain Kevin Byard III, former second-round pick Jaquan Brisker, and others walk in free agency, the top priority for this defense became retooling the safety position. Chicago quickly found two starting upgrades in free agent Coby Bryant and first-round pick Dillon Thieneman.
Bryant started out his career at corner with the Seattle Seahawks before moving to safety and flourishing under head coach Mike Mcdonald’s scheme. He’s just scratching the surface of what he can become and ready to fill that leadership void in the secondary. Head coach Ben Johnson even referred to Bryant as a “trained killer.”
As for Thieneman, the 25th overall pick in the draft is going to be one of the most versatile players on this entire roster. This guy can play anywhere, is highly instinctual, and always around the football. With Bryant and Thieneman, Allen has multiple ways to mix-n-match the two to disguise his coverages. OTAs will be the first opportunity for the two to start developing that on-field chemistry.
“First is just getting to know him, personally and what he’s like off the field. Building that connection and relationship there. And then once you get on the field, start making calls and asking questions and we’ll get on the same page,” Thieneman said of Bryant. “Once you get to a certain level, you almost don’t have to talk because you’re thinking about the same thing.”
Instant opportunity for the new LB additions to get plenty of opportunities
Another position Allen made a point to overhaul this offseason was at linebacker. The Bears parted ways with starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and signed the explosive Devin Bush to be his replacement. Then, the Bears re-signed D’Marco Jackson, brought back Jack Sanborn, and drafted Keyshaun Elliott to add much needed depth.
Going into camp, all four of those players will have plenty of opportunities to get acquainted with each other and with the coaching staff. Starting linebacker T.J. Edwards will miss time this offseason coming off a fractured fibula while Noah Sewell recovers as well from a torn Achilles.
The thing to watch will be the closing speed for these new additions, an area Allen stressed he wanted to improve at the second level. Also watch out for how Jackson, Sanborn, and Elliott do on special teams, which will go a long way toward earning a final roster spot in that room.