Another Chicago Bears pending free agent is taking his talents elsewhere for the 2026 season amid the latest news from the NFL’s legal tampering period.
According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Houston Texans have agreed to terms with former Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson on a one-year contract worth up to $4 million. The 2022 fifth-round pick played 48 games for Chicago, largely as a backup.
Robinson had arguably his best season with the Bears in 2025, tallying 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in 12 regular-season games. He also added a sack and a forced fumble as a rotational pass rusher during Chicago’s playoff run.
Unfortunately for the Bears, Robinson — a draft project in 2022 — never unlocked the potential that the front office believed it had identified in him. He was a raw talent who had only played about two seasons at defensive end when the Bears originally took him, and he finished his four-year stint in Chicago with just 4.5 sacks, counting the playoffs.
Robinson’s deal with the Texans will not become official until the league year turns over to 2026 at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.
Bears Staying Away From Big-Money Pass Rushers
The Bears have plenty of time to pursue some pass rushers on the free-agent market, but the first wave of negotiations has made it clear that Chicago is staying away from some of the most sought-after options among this year’s pending free agency class.
On the first day of legal tampering, the Bears have watched as other teams have signed several of the top available pass rushers to big-money contracts, including Odafe Oweh (Commanders for $25 million annually) and Jaelen Phillips (Panthers at $30 million annually). Kwity Paye also signed for $16 million annually with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Trey Hendrickson remains unsigned, but expectations are that he will sign for upwards of $20 million per season — which fits into the “too expensive” column for the Bears.
Under different financial circumstances, the Bears might have pursued one of the top pass rushers more aggressively, but it is harder to do so when three of the Bears’ largest six cap hits belong to D-linemen — Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett. Even Maxx Crosby, for all of his immense talent, would have been tough to make work.
The Bears did agree to terms on a two-year, $12 million contract with veteran defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, giving them an interior depth piece with pass-rushing tools, but don’t be surprised if the rest of their D-line upgrades come in the NFL draft.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bears Pass Rusher Bolts to Sign New Deal With AFC Contender appeared first on Heavy Sports.