Projecting the Bears’ starting defense following the 2024 NFL draft

Sweat is coming off a monster year where he had a career-high 12.5 sacks — leading both the Bears (6.0) and Commanders (6.5) in sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2023. Outside of his individual production, Sweat’s presence opened up opportunities for others around him to thrive, as evidenced by the defense’s success late in the season. After acquiring Sweat via a trade with the Commanders, Chicago inked him to a mega extension that keeps him with the Bears through 2027.

The Bears didn’t address edge rusher until the fifth round with Austin Booker, who could very well develop into a starter down the line. But for now, DeMarcus Walker appears to be in line to start opposite Montez Sweat off the edge. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Chicago bring in a veteran this summer, perhaps bringing back Yannick Ngakoue, recovered from a broken ankle, to a team-friendly, one-year deal.

Following Justin Jones’ departure in free agency, the Bears have a hole at three-technique alongside nose tackle Andrew Billings. Chicago didn’t address the defensive interior in the NFL draft, which means Dexter is in line to get the start, perhaps in a rotational role with fellow 2023 draft class mate, Zacch Pickens.

Billings proved to be a force in the middle of Chicago’s defensive line, which quickly earned him a two-year contract extension during the 2023 season. Billings played a key role in the Bears’ improved run defense, which went from second to last in the NFL in 2022 to the league’s best in 2023.

Edwards proved to be Poles’ best free-agent addition last year, where he was a key part of the team’s revamped run defense that was the best in the NFL. Edwards totaled a team-high 155 tackles (seventh most in the NFL), including eight tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and one forced fumble. He also set career highs in sacks (2.5), interceptions (3) and QB hits (8) and fumble recoveries (2). And Chicago got Edwards at an absolute bargain.

Edmunds was the Chicago’s biggest splash signing last offseason. He totaled 113 tackles, second only to Edwards, including five tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Edmunds proved to be a takeaway machine for the Bears, tying for a team-best (and career high) four interceptions, including his first career defensive touchdown.

With the additions of Edwards and Edmunds in free agency, Sanborn was relegated to more of a rotational role on defense last year. But he still had opportunities to make plays, flashing what made him so special as a rookie with his instincts and tackling. Sanborn could face some competition from Noah Sewell in training camp. But I’m penciling him in as the starting SAM linebacker for the 2024 season.

Johnson agreed to a four-year, $76 million contract extension, keeping him in Chicago through 2027. That’s big news for a young, ascending Bears defense that gets back one of its best defensive players and a key leader in the secondary. Johnson is coming off a career year, where he had a career-high four interceptions and was the NFL’s best cover cornerback, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods. He’ll be key to the success of a defense looking to make a leap to a top-10 unit.

Stevenson, who Chicago traded up for in the draft, had his early rookie struggles but really came into his own over the final seven weeks of the season. Stevenson recorded four interceptions — tied for a team high — during that span. He also totaled 16 pass breakups on the season, which tied Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon for a rookie best and fifth most in the league. Stevenson earned NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for his impressive outing against the Falcons in Week 17. He’s a young player on the rise, and he’ll be a key contributor in the secondary.

Gordon settled into the nickel cornerback role in his second season, where he was able to focus on just one position unlike his rookie season where he toggled back and forth between outside and nickel. While he missed the first month with a broken hand, he came back stronger — delivering brutal hits and thriving as a run stopper. He really settled in down the stretch as part of a young, ascending secondary.

Brisker was the Bears’ best rookie in 2022, and he built on his performance in Year 2. While he got off to a slow start with his share of highs and lows, he really hit his stride in the second half of the season. Brisker’s high-level, physical play served as a tone-setter for a secondary that made huge strides during the defense’s late-season turnaround.

The Bears shored up the biggest hole in the secondary with the addition of Byard, an All-Pro safety who signed before the official start of free agency. Byard brings a strong veteran presence to the secondary and will serve as an ideal complement to Jaquan Brisker. He’s the final piece of a young, ascending Chicago secondary that could make waves this season.