Have the Chicago Bears Done Enough to Improve Their Linebacker Unit for 2026?
After a season marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities, the Chicago Bears' defense struggled to maintain the level of play required to compete week in and week out. Injuries, a lack of depth, and uneven performances at linebacker exposed gaps that opposing offenses consistently exploited. However, with a clear focus on improvement, the front office turned to free agency to address those concerns. New additions bring not only talent, but experience and versatility that the unit lacked a year ago. Now, the Bears are counting on a revamped linebacker group to help elevate the defense as a whole in 2026.
One of the team's first moves was releasing Tremaine Edmunds. The 27-year-old had served as one of the team's leaders on defense for the past three seasons. He played well, but did not make enough of an impact for a defense that struggled all season. This made it hard to justify his high price tag. Chicago saved roughly $15 million after parting ways with the eight-year veteran. After doing that, it left the team with a clear hole in the position.
At the time of Edmunds' release, the Bears had three linebackers under contract who had seen meaningful playing time. T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell had seen the most playing time, but both suffered season-ending injuries late in the year, so it is unknown when they will be able to return. Now heading into his second season, Ruben Hyppolite has potential as a former fourth-round pick, but he did not play enough to prove that he can step into a starting spot. Chicago did re-sign D’Marco Jackson, which, at the time, gave the Bears four solid options. However, despite the potential of the group, it was not seen as enough to make a difference in 2026.
The Bears clearly felt like they needed more help. They bolstered the linebacker unit by signing Devin Bush Jr. to a three-year deal worth $30 million. The former first-round pick is coming off a career year, in which he recorded 125 total tackles and three interceptions. He immediately slots in as the top linebacker on the team and possibly even an upgrade over Edmunds. Bush is faster, more athletic, and better in coverage. Bringing him in at a lower cost was a much-needed move for a team working with little cap space.
Even with this splash move, the team has not stopped adding depth. They brought back Jack Sanborn on a one-year deal. The 25-year-old previously played for the Bears for three seasons before joining Dallas last offseason. He may not be a flashy option, but he is a strong depth piece. During his time in Chicago, he saw a total of 19 starts, serving as a starter whenever the team struggled with injuries. As of now, adding Sanborn gives the team a strong group of six linebackers heading into the rest of the offseason.
Despite the 2025 season's success, Chicago still had a lot to do to stay competitive. The defense struggled, prompting the team to part ways with several starters, including Edmunds. Despite this loss, the Bears turned their linebacker unit into a strength by adding talent and depth. Much work remains on defense, but recent moves show the team's focus on depth and quality over high-priced superstars. By emphasizing depth, versatility, and reliability in the linebacker unit, the Bears have taken a clear step toward a more consistent and competitive defense for 2026.
