The Chicago Bears could be on the cusp of a defensive overhaul.
General manager Ryan Poles and the Bears have granted linebacker Tremaine Edmunds the ability to seek a trade, reports say defensive lineman Gervon Dexter is reportedly drawing interest from teams across the league, and Chicago has three free agent safeties that the front office and coaching staff must decide how to handle, currently sitting upwards of $5.3 million over the cap.
likewise, in all likelihood, the Bears are about to spend big on the defensive side of the ball to build a complementary unit to head coach Ben Johnson’s offense that has seen a significant infusion of talent around quarterback Caleb Williams over the past two offseasons.
Chicago Bears’ Ryan Poles reveals what he’s looking for in defensive players
While the Bears led the league in takeaways in 2025, adding talent at all three levels of the defense will likely be Poles’ top priority this offseason.
As the NFL Combine gets underway, Poles says he has four key attributes that any prospect the Bears are evaluating in the NFL Draft or free agency must have before getting on Chicago’s board.
“Motor, relentlessness, violence, explosiveness,” Poles told reporters, via CHGO, adding: “I want to improve our defensive speed overall.”
By prioritizing these ‘violent’ and ‘explosive’ traits, Poles is signaling a clear shift toward a faster, more aggressive defensive identity intended to terrorize the NFC North.
As the Bears look to potentially move on from established veterans and navigate a tight cap situation, their success in 2026 will hinge on finding new anchors who can match the high-octane standard already set by Ben Johnson’s offense.
Chicago Bears meet with potential first-round pick at scouting combine
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