The Bears have finally added pass-rushing help after agreeing to sign former Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million deal, a source said. He is the presumptive starter opposite star pass rusher Montez Sweat, though that could change if the Bears add at the position in the draft.
Odeyingbo had just three sacks in 17 games last season, but was third on the team with 19 quarterback pressures. Sweat led the Bears with 5½ sacks last season, and they finished 16th in the NFL with 40 sacks collectively.
The Colts drafted Odeyingbo, now 25, in the second round out of Vanderbilt in 2021, when Matt Eberflus was their defensive coordinator. He was mostly a reserve for them his first three seasons before taking a starting job last season.
In 61 games over four seasons, Odeyingbo had 16½ sacks, 46 quarterback hits, 106 tackles, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. NFL Network ranked him the 36th-best free agent available this year.
Odeyingbo’s deal, like any others the Bears agree to during the legal tampering period, will become official when the new league year begins Wednesday.
