The 2025 Bears defense was the epitome of boom-or-bust, producing the most turnovers while giving up the fourth most yards in the NFL. Going into the second training camp with the current coaching staff, the Bears defense will have several new players and some old faces vying for defensive positions. Here are three Chicago Bears training camp battles that will define the defense.
After star cornerback Jaylon Johnson went down with an injury in last year’s training camp, career backup Nashon Wright seized the opportunity and won the starting job opposite Tyrique Stevenson. With Wright signing with the New York Jets in free agency and Stevenson being demoted after Johnson returned from injury, the second starting job is up for grabs. This appears to be a two-man race, with youth versus experience at play.
One of the most infamous players in recent Bears memory, Stevenson is at a pivotal stage in his career. Playing 13 games and starting 10 in 2025, Stevenson allowed an 86.3 passer rating, while posting career lows in tackles and interceptions. Now in his fourth year with the team, Stevenson has experience with the team and coach Ben Johnson. With this being a contract year for the former starter, DB coach Al Harris has noted that Stevenson is “totally different” and has a highly focused mindset this offseason.
The Bears capitalized on a player falling in the 2026 NFL draft by taking cornerback Malik Muhammad. After posting an impressive 37.4 passer rating allowed in 2025, he was projected to be a first- or second-round draft pick but fell to the fourth round, where the Bears traded up to select him. During OTAs, the former University of Texas cornerback was spotted taking first-team reps as outside corner, showing he has a strong chance to start opposite Johnson.
Current Favorite: Tyrique Stevenson
Projected Winner: Malik Muhammad
The Bears entered the 2026 offseason to get faster on defense after being torched by speedy receivers last season. Chicago made a splash in free agency by signing 27-year-old Devin Bush Jr. The former Cleveland Browns linebacker had a career year in 2025 and is widely regarded as super athletic and fast at the position. The Bears will look to training camp to determine who will start at linebacker opposite Bush.
After signing with the Bears during the 2023 offseason, linebacker T.J. Edwards has been a stalwart in the middle of the field. After starting every game in 2023 and 2024, Edwards missed significant time with injuries in 2025. The 29-year-old linebacker broke his hand during the regular season and then fractured his fibula in their playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Even though he missed seven regular-season games last season, Edwards’ stats declined in relation to previous seasons.
After spending two seasons with the New Orleans Saints, linebacker D’Marco Jackson reunited with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in Chicago. When Edwards went down with an injury, Jackson started in his place for the Bears. In 16 games in 2025, including 4 starts, he totaled 43 tackles, one sack, and one interception. The 27-year-old was notably better in pass defense, allowing a passer rating of just 29.7 compared to Edwards’ 119.7.
A dark horse in the competition, Chicago brought back a familiar face, Jack Sanborn, on a one-year, $1.215 contract. The linebacker started five games for the Dallas Cowboys before suffering a season-ending injury. A fan favorite in Chicago, Sanborn is far removed from his best season in 2023, when he finished with 65 tackles, one sack, and one interception. Coming off a serious injury and only on a one-year contract, the 25-year-old is a low-risk candidate to win the starting job.
Current Favorite: T.J. Edwards
Projected Winner: D’Marco Jackson
Although not a top-tier position like starting corner or linebacker, the third defensive tackle spot remains open for the Bears. With veteran Grady Jarrett returning from injury and Gervon Dexter Sr. established as a starter, the main concern this offseason has been the depth behind them. The Bears brought in new players through free agency and the draft, aiming to foster intense competition.
Chicago made moves early in free agency to address defensive tackle depth. The team added former Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Neville Gallimore on a two-year, $12 million contract. The 29-year-old is coming off a career year with 38 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 5.5 stuffs. The six-year veteran specializes in rushing the passer, providing a boost when on the field.
Another reliable defensive tackle, Kentavius Street, signed a one-year, $1.48 million contract with the Bears. A career backup, the 30-year-old Street had two sacks and 21 tackles in seven games with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025. While he is an average run defender, Street can provide spurts of pass rush against slower offensive guards.
The Bears further boosted training camp competition by drafting Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg. The sixth-round pick started all 13 games for the Yellow Jackets in 2025 and totaled 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. While he showed flashes of his explosiveness during OTAs, he struggled with fundamentals and is a long shot to join the defensive tackle rotation.
Current Favorite: Neville Gallimore
Predicted Winner: Neville Gallimore
While the Bears won the NFC North and made the playoffs in 2025, the defense allowed so many yards that a repeat season would be highly unlikely. To rectify this, Chicago brought in several new faces to get younger and faster at key positions. The team hopes that training camp battles with these new faces will produce a more competitive defense in 2026.
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