Bears insider reveals Chicago had an under-the-radar visit with a top free agent rusher – what it really means for the team
Chicago Bears insider Brad Biggs revealed the team brought in free agent pass rusher A.J. Epenesa for a workout last week as the team considers finally making an addition at defensive end going into the 2026 season.
One of the biggest gripes about the Chicago Bears’ offseason was the team’s lack of investment on the defensive line, primarily at the defensive end position that didn’t have a single addition so far this offseason.
Chicago’s defensive end group combined for just 18 sacks and 135 total pressures during the 2025 season led by Montez Sweat and eventually got some boost when Austin Booker returned from injury. It’s worth noting that the Bears also had to deal with two season-ending injuries at the position between Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner.
Internally, the coaching staff believes that more direct coaching on the technique and fundamentals, along with better health, can lead to more success for this unit. Especially after all of the additions made to the back seven.
Externally, fans are still demanding for an addition of some sort at the defensive end position. Here’s some good news for those fans, the Bears are at least showing initial interest in one top free agent.
Brad Biggs believes the Chicago Bears hosted A.J. Epenesa for a workout last week
“It’s my understanding the Bears brought in A.J. Epenesa for a workout last week” Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune shared on Wednesday. “The free agent had 2½ sacks in 16 games for the Buffalo Bills last season after totaling 18½ sacks over three seasons from 2022-24.”
Epenesa is a fascinating option for the Bears to bring in for an initial visit. The former second-round pick nearly signed with the Cleveland Browns in late April before the deal fell through after Epenesa failed his physical. That explains why the Bears wanted to first bring the 27-year-old in on a workout before agreeing to any deal.
After seeing him in the building and working out with the staff, the Bears now can weigh the decision with more internal information. However, don’t expect the team to rush into that decision until they gather more information on what they already have in the building during organized team activities over the next few days.
“That’s evidence that the Bears aren’t sitting around simply wondering how the players on the roster will perform,” Biggs added. “I’d probably classify the visit by Epenesa somewhere between interest in adding to the position and performing due diligence on an emergency list.”
The real kicker here is that the Bears won’t be able to evaluate Odeyingbo and Turner until later in the offseason as both players are still recovering from their respective injuries. That certainly will hold up any potential signing at the position.
When OTAs officially kick off later today, the Bears will at least get to evaluate the defensive end group that will be out there, which consists of Sweat, Booker, Jamree Kromah, and Daniel Hardy. One could argue that what the Bears have is a shallow group, but the staff remains bullish on wanting to fix things internally before committing to any external option.