Chicago Bears fans think defensive end is their biggest remaining need

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 18: Austin Booker #94 of the Chicago Bears during an NFL divisional playoff football game on January 18, 2026 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images On Monday, we asked you guys to vote for the Chicago Bears’ biggest remaining need, and more than half of you said defensive end, which is exactly how I voted. The entire defensive line unit received 84% of the vote, which would jibe with what Bill wrote earlier this week when he shared his concerns about the position group.

The current Bears depth chart at the defensive end is Montez Sweat and Austin Booker as the starters, and… That’s really all they should count on, if we’re being honestk which is why 54% of you picked EDGE. Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles tendon on November 2, and depending on the severity of the rupture, it could take up to a year to return. He also tore his Achilles in January of 2021 while preparing for the NFL Draft, and he didn’t return until October 31 that year.

So if it’s a similar injury, he may make it back for the season opener in September, but that’s the best-case scenario. Shemar Turner started to get some reps off the edge before he tore his ACL on October 26, and that could also be a 12-month recovery time. Again, the best-case scenario is that he’s back this summer and can be ready for week one.

But even if Dayo and Turner are cleared, would they be able to handle a full workload? Odds are they’d be eased back into the lineup while they get their conditioning right. Also off the edge for the Bears is Daniel Hardy, but he’s mostly around for his special teams, and practice squad contenders Jonathan Garvin, Jamree Kromah, and Jeremiah Martin.