The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a hyped 2026 season, the place they’re seeking to construct off their spectacular first season underneath head coach Ben Johnson, which included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win. While they discovered success in 2025, it is a model new slate for this Bears crew following an offseason of change, together with the departures of key veterans and the additions of new veterans and thrilling rookies.
The work begins in coaching camp, the place Johnson will put his crew by means of the wringer with the intent to organize them for the 2026 season. Every day from now proper up by means of coaching camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, sit up for 2026 and sort out the most important query going through them this 12 months.
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Next up at No. 26 is defensive finish Dayo Odeyingbo, who has lots to show after an injury-shortened first season in Chicago. With the Bears go rush going through questions, Odeyingbo goes to be key to the unit’s success in 2026.
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Caleb Williams on second he received snug in Ben Johnson’s offense
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with head coach Ben Johnson throughout Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Caleb Williams on second he received snug in Ben Johnson’s offense
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with head coach Ben Johnson throughout Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive again Dillon Thieneman (31) stretches throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive again Skyler Thomas (38) warms up throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jaren Kump stretches throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson walks on the sector throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jaren Kump (64) warms up throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
See when Chicago Bears rookies, veterans report back to coaching camp
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson walks on the sector throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Ben Johnson explains why the Bears signed Kalif Raymond
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears vast receiver Kalif Raymond (14) runs throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears working again Roschon Johnson (23) warms up throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears vast receiver Luther Burden III (10) warms up throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Caleb Williams on second he received snug in Ben Johnson’s offense
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) appears to be like to go the ball throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) appears to be like to go the ball throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jaren Kump (L) and Garrett Bradbury (R) practice throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears line backer Wayne Matthews III runs with the ball (35) throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Caden Barnett (76) runs on the sector throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears working again D’Andre Swift (4) runs with the ball throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears vast receiver Zavion Thomas (81) passes the ball throughout Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Bears signed Odeyingbo to a hefty three-year, $48 million contract with $32 million assured to function a bookend reverse Montez Sweat. While he had the traits that Dennis Allen was on the lookout for in a defensive finish, Chicago took an opportunity on an unproven participant, which failed miserably in Year 1. Odeyingbo performed in simply eight video games, totaling 21 tackles, together with two tackles for loss, one sack, 4 QB hits, 10 pressures earlier than tearing his Achilles in a Week 9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Odeyingbo had a formidable debut in Week 1 towards the Minnesota Vikings, logging one sack, one sort out for loss and a go breakup. But he was a non-factor within the seven ensuing video games earlier than damage ended a disappointing first season in Chicago.
Most Important Bears of 2026: DE Dayo Odeyingbo
Importance in 2026
nThe Bears did not make any vital strikes to deal with the go rush this offseason, which has drawn lots of criticism from followers and analysts alike. Chicago is banking on their returning forged of injured gamers, together with Odeyingbo, to show their price in 2026. But there isn’t any participant underneath extra strain to carry out on that defensive position than the $48 million man himself in Odeyingbo, who garners a $20.5 million wage cap hit this season. Outside of his Bears debut, Odeyingbo did not present something vital in phrases of the go rush. If Chicago goes to make strides in that division, Odeyingbo goes to must play a job.
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Big Question: Will Odeyingbo be on the Bears past 2026?
Chicago took an enormous swing signing an unproven Odeyingbo to an enormous contract final offseason, and to this point he is been a whole waste of cash — whether or not it is manufacturing or lack of availability. Following Austin Booker‘s spectacular efficiency after getting back from damage midseason, Odeyingbo is not even a assured starter. In reality, the expectation — barring one other transfer — is that Sweat and Booker will bookend the defensive position. But Odeyingbo will nonetheless be an important piece of that defensive position, and he must discover a method to capitalize when given the alternatives. If not, the Bears have an out in 2027, the place they might save $15 million (with $4.5 million in lifeless cash) by releasing Odeyingbo.
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