The Chicago Bears didn’t add meaningfully to the defensive front during last weekend’s NFL draft, and the team’s choice not to pursue a pass-rusher of any repute drew heat from several analysts during post-draft analysis this week.
Among the most prominent to criticize the Bears’ approach, or lack thereof, to addressing their biggest weakness came from Mina Kimes and Ben Solak of ESPN.
“It’s a defensive line room full of like twos and threes, and they really need a one, they need a ringer, they need a guy who knocks everybody down one role in importance, and then this room would make a lot more sense,” Solak said. “They were in the Maxx Crosby trade conversations accordingly. But they completely did not address the position.”
Solak noted that Chicago’s decision to draft safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick in Round 1 made complete sense when he unexpectedly fell that far, and Kimes agreed.
Both also made the case for Iowa center Logan Jones as a reasonable direction with the No. 57 selection in Round 2 given the need in that spot and his resumé as a four-year starter familiar with a zone scheme.
However, the Bears’ defense was 27th in team pressure rate, and the decision to select a tight end (Sam Roush) and wide receiver (Zavion Thomas) in Round 3, and then never really address the needs on the D-line, specifically with regards to the pass rush, is hard to defend in retrospect.
Kimes, for her part, said the mistake wasn’t necessarily ignoring defensive line additions in the draft, but doing so and also passing on the opportunity to trade for former Minnesota Vikings edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard.
Jonathan Greenard Was Among Best Pass-Rushers in NFL 2 Years Ago
GettyPass-rusher Jonathan Greenard, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota sent Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles for two third-round picks in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Soon after, the Eagles inked Greenard to a four-year contract worth upwards of $100 million.
“My take is, I think they should have traded for Jonathan Greenard,” Kimes said.
Solak pointed out that Greenard was playing for a division rival within the NFC North, which put Kimes on her back foot immediately after making the suggestion.
However, Minnesota got just two third-rounders for a player on the right side of 30 years old whose advanced metrics indicate he could, and likely should, return to his Pro-Bowl form of 2024, during which he produced 18 tackles for loss and 12 sacks while also finishing third in total pressures with 80 and first in the league with 59 hurries, per Pro Football Focus.
“Greenard would have been a really nice fit in terms of [Bears defensive coordinator] Dennis Allen,” Solak said.
Bears Likely in Market to Add Pass-Rusher Sooner Than Later
GettyDefensive end Cameron Jordan, formerly of the New Orleans Saints.
The saving grace for Chicago is that there remain several veteran options who produced reasonably well last season and should be available on one-year deals.
“I think this team is going to be in the market for a pass-rusher at some point,” Kimes added.
Cameron Jordan, most recently of the New Orleans Saints, put up 15 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last season and has a market value of $6.8 million.
Meanwhile, Jadeveon Clowney tallied 12 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 and should be available for $5.7 million in 2026, per Spotrac.
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