Austin Booker addresses Chicago Bears decision

Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) against the Arizona Cardinals.

Austin Booker addresses Chicago Bears decision

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Aug 9, 2026 11:07 PM ET

Austin Booker is entering his third NFL season with a lot to prove. The Chicago Bears will rely heavily on the defensive end for his pass rush and to help prevent opponents from scoring.

The franchise selected him as the No. 144 pick in the fifth round in 2024. Booker has appeared in 27 regular-season games, including 10 in 2025. He finished last year with 35 combined tackles consisting of 16 assisted and 19 solo efforts, along with five tackles for loss. The 23-year-old added 4.5 sacks, three passes defended and one forced fumble.

While the numbers are not eye-popping, he is set for a bigger campaign. Booker will likely play more snaps and start a few games in 2026. He has shown a lot of improvement at training camp as the work he put in, particularly with his lower body, is starting to pay off.

Austin Booker opens up on Bears staying put with defensive line

Booker addressed the media on Sunday. He shared his take on Ryan Poles and the front office believing that the team has enough on the defensive line and not adding any edge rusher.

“I’m blessed for the opportunities for sure,” Booker said. “My mentality is the same every year. I’m gonna get better do my part the best that I can.”

Austin Booker on the Chicago Bears not signing more Edge Rushers:

“I’m blessed for the opportunities, my mentality is the same every year. I’m gonna get better do my part the best that I can.”

Ready for the responsibilities pic.twitter.com/8Yxe6gdno0

— BearsMuse (@ChiBearsMuse) August 8, 2026

The Kansas Jayhawks product showed a glimpse of his true potential in last year’s playoffs. He received praise for registering one sack and two quarterback hits over the team’s two games. The knee injury in the 2025 preseason forced Booker to miss the first seven games of the regular season. He has since fully recovered and showed no signs of being hampered by it.

He appears focused for the upcoming campaign and looks to repay Ben Johnson and his staff’s trust in him. Booker’s mentality reflects his preparedness ahead of a crucial year where he’ll play a key role in the team’s quest for more success.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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