Bears targeting T.J. Parker and defensive line help at pick 25 after recording just 35 sacks

The Chicago Bears are targeting defensive line upgrades in the 2026 NFL Draft after their pass rush produced just 35 sacks during a 2025 season that included an NFC North title and a playoff victory. Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker is among the prospects linked to the Bears at the 25th overall pick.

Montez Sweat led the team with 10 sacks, but the lack of a consistent second pass-rushing option limited the defense’s ability to generate pressure. Addressing that gap is the front office’s primary draft objective as the team looks to build on a season that exceeded external expectations. Recent mock drafts have connected the Bears to defensive line prospects in the first round.

T.J. Parker and Zion Young as edge rush options for the Bears at pick 25

Parker is projected as a first-round selection based on his size, power-to-pressure conversion rate, and ability to set the edge against the run. His skill set would allow him to line up opposite Sweat and give the Bears a two-edge combination capable of generating consistent pressure without relying on blitzes.

Missouri’s Zion Young is another prospect the Bears have been linked to at the position. Young offers versatility, with experience playing both edge and interior alignments, and has demonstrated the upper-body strength and play disruption behind the line of scrimmage that translates to an immediate rotational role at the NFL level.

Penn State’s Zane Durant could address Bears’ need at three-technique

The Bears’ defensive line needs extend beyond the edge. Penn State’s Zane Durant is an interior prospect whose Combine performance could elevate his draft stock. Durant is expected to run a sub-4.70 40-yard dash, which would be an exceptional time for an interior defensive lineman and would confirm the burst and first-step quickness he shows on film.

Durant projects as a penetrating three-technique who wins with leverage and acceleration rather than pure size. That profile would complement the Bears’ existing interior linemen and provide the kind of disruptive interior presence that the defense lacked in 2025. His potential to outperform his projected draft slot makes him a target in the second or third round if the Bears use their first-round pick on an edge rusher.

Bears’ defensive line strategy after NFC North title season

Chicago’s approach reflects a team that views the 2025 season as a foundation rather than a ceiling. The NFC North title and playoff win established the Bears as a competitive roster, but the 35-sack total exposed the defensive line as the area with the most room for improvement. Adding a first-round edge rusher alongside a developmental interior lineman would give the Bears a path to significantly improving their pressure rate without requiring major free agency spending on the defensive front.