Let’s get one thing straight: the 2024 Chicago Bears defensive line stunk. Not just in a "well, they were rebuilding" way, but in a "this unit singlehandedly lost us games" kind of way. A defensive front that was the pride of Chicago in 2023 turned into an absolute embarrassment in 2024. How bad was it? According to NFL.com, they were 29th in run defense, coughing up 136.3 yards per game, and dead last in generating any sort of fear in opposing quarterbacks.
But here’s the twist: that trash fire of a season might’ve set the stage for one hell of a comeback story.
The 2024 Face-plant: What the Hell Happened?
Let’s start with the crime scene.
In 2023, the Bears allowed just 86.4 rushing yards per game, per NFL.com. That was #1 in the league. Flash forward to 2024, and suddenly, they’re giving up almost 50 more yards per game and getting gashed on every down like a pee-wee squad. From 1st to 29th in run D. From a top-10 total defense to 27th. That’s not a drop — it’s a free-fall with no parachute.
Key Suspects:
- Andrew Billings’ Injury – The moment Billings tore his pec in Week 9, the trenches became a revolving door. The run defense collapsed, and his ability to clog lanes and draw double teams evaporated. Dude was the anchor, and the ship sank without him.
- Montez Sweat’s Vanishing Act – After the Bears threw a truckload of money at Sweat — 4 years, $98 million (Spotrac) — he responded with 5.5 sacks and 32 pressures. For context, that tied him with rotational guys. He got outplayed by dudes on rookie deals. Add in a PFF grade of 65.6 and you’ve got yourself a major buyer’s remorse situation.
- Nobody Else Showed Up – DeMarcus Walker (3.5 sacks), Darrell Taylor (3.0), Austin Booker (1.5)... yikes. No complementary pass rushers. No disruption. No pressure. Just a lot of standing around while QBs picked them apart.
- Coaching Chaos – Midseason, Matt Eberflus got tossed, and everything went to hell. Scheme changes, poor communication, and a defense that played like it didn’t want to be there.
Add it all up and you’ve got a unit ranked 28th on the D-line, according to ESPN. That’s not just bad. That’s hang-your-head, burn-the-tape bad.
The 2025 Overhaul: Enter the Sledgehammer
Ryan Poles looked at that mess and said, "Time to blow it up."
What followed was a full-on rebuild. Big money. High draft picks. A new coaching staff. Hell, even the scheme got a makeover. Here's the new crew.
Key Signings:
- Dayo Odeyingbo (DE) – Three years, $48 million (Spotrac). Only 3 sacks in 2024, but don’t let that number fool you — he led Indy with 33 pressures and 17 QB hits. This guy lives in the backfield. Perfect opposite Sweat.
- Grady Jarrett (DT) – Veteran beast. Signed for 3 years, $43.5 million (Spotrac). Even at 31, Jarrett’s still productive: 53 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 12 QB hits. Plus, he brings a mean streak the Bears sorely need.
- Shemar Turner (DT) – Drafted 62nd overall out of Texas A&M. Raw but versatile. Can play nose, 3-tech, even slide outside. He’s going to be a matchup nightmare if they coach him right.
Returning Contributors:
- Andrew Billings – The big man is back and healthy. Before the injury? A top-10 run-stop win rate (39%) and an elite 78.6 PFF pass rush grade. He's the keystone.
- Gervon Dexter Sr. – Quietly broke out last year: 51 tackles, 5 sacks, 19 QB hits. If he keeps progressing, he’s a force inside.
- Montez Sweat – Look, 2024 was trash, but there’s still hope. With actual help around him and Dennis Allen calling the shots, expect a bounce-back.
Coaching Shift: Dennis Allen's Chaos Factory
This might be the sneaky-biggest move of the offseason.
Dennis Allen isn’t here to run Cover 2 and play bend-don’t-break. The dude runs an aggressive, attacking defense. Think multiple fronts, disguised pressures, and man coverage. In other words: no more watching quarterbacks sip coffee in a clean pocket.
His philosophy? "Take the fight to the offense." Hell yes.
Projecting 2025: The Good, The Better, The Disruptive
Let’s talk numbers. Here's where the Bears are likely headed:
Pass Rush
| Player | 2024 Sacks | 2025 Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Montez Sweat | 5.5 | 10.5 - 12.0 |
| Dayo Odeyingbo | 3.0 | 7.5 - 9.0 |
| Grady Jarrett | 2.5 | 4.0 - 5.5 |
| Gervon Dexter | 5.0 | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Shemar Turner | N/A | 3.0 - 4.5 |
| Others | 24.0 | 12.0 - 15.0 |
| Total | 40.0 | 43.0 - 53.5 |
They finished 16th in sacks last year. With Allen’s system and this new lineup, top 10 is in play. Pencil them in for around 48-50 sacks.
Run Defense
The days of giving up 136 yards on the ground are (hopefully) over. With Billings back, Jarrett clogging the middle, and more depth all around, expect that number to drop to the 105-110 range. That’s a top-12 run D if it holds.
Overall DL Ranking
- 2024: 28th (garbage)
- 2025 projection: 8th-12th (legit)
Why the optimism? Because:
- They invested where it counts.
- Dennis Allen knows how to weaponize D-lines.
- Health. No more Billings-sized holes.
- They finally have multiple guys who can win one-on-one.
Just look at the Vikings under Brian Flores in 2023 — new DC, aggressive scheme, instant results. The Bears are following a similar blueprint.
Final Verdict
The Bears’ D-line went from nasty (2023), to nauseating (2024), to potentially nasty again (2025).
If you’re a Bears fan, you should be cautiously hyped. Don’t expect a 2000 Ravens redux, but do expect a defensive front that can punch you in the mouth and finally get off the damn field on 3rd down.
48-50 sacks, top-12 against the run, and a top-10 defensive line ranking? That’ll play. Especially if Ben Johnson’s offense does its part.
This group isn’t just rebuilding — it’s reloading.
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