Chicago Bears apparently out on All-Pro pass-rusher

Imagn Images

Chicago Bears apparently out on All-Pro pass-rusher

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated May 9, 2026 1:17 PM ET

The Chicago Bears chose not to address the defensive line on Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft, letting their board speak for them and taking safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round before adding three offensive players on Day 2.

General manager Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson suggested defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would need to develop his defensive line to rush the passer better this offseason. However, Poles left open the possibility that the Bears would add a defensive end or defensive tackle in free agency or via a trade.

The Bears showed interest in trading for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby earlier this offseason, but the price of two first-round picks was too high. Former New Orleans Saints edge Cam Jordan was considered another potential option because of his familiarity with Allen, who was the former head coach of the Saints.

On Saturday, Allen told reporters during his news conference that Jordan wasn’t expected to be an option for the Bears in free agency this year, though a reunion might happen in the future.

“Cam’s going to be a… Hall of Fame player, is a Hall of Fame player,” Allen said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. “I don’t know that there’s been a ton of discussion about that. I think we feel pretty good about where we’re at and what we have and yet, you never know what opportunities might present themselves down the road.”

Jordan, 36, has earned three All-Pro honors and made the Pro Bowl eight times. The first-round pick in the 2011 draft has 132 career sacks.

Allen plans to work with his defensive line on techniques to rush the passer.

Chicago Bears DC Dennis Allen on the pass rush

NFL: Chicago Bears Training Camp Jul 23, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen speaks during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

“We had a lot of discussions this offseason about a lot of different things, and one of the things we identified was me,” Allen said. “We focused so much on installing all the scheme last year because it was brand new, and we do have a high volume of things we carry in the defense. We focused so much on that that we lost sight of some of the fundamentals and techniques that it takes to function, to do those things.

“I don’t think we were as fundamentally sound defensively as we need to be. So how do we have to coach it better? Well, let’s minimize how much we’re focused on the scheme, OK, and let’s focus on not what we’re gonna do but how we’re gonna do it. I think that’s how we’re gonna improve.”

Allen’s coaching can only do so much for a roster that isn’t built to rush the passer, but maybe the work this offseason will make the unit marginally better.

Still, the Bears need to add help in free agency or via trade, but Jordan doesn’t appear to be at the top of the wish list in OTAs.

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

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