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Did the Bears overpay for one of their biggest 2025 free-agent signings?

The Chicago Bears spent big money on one free agent who may not produce the bang for his buck.

Published

6 months ago

July 1, 2025

Bryan Perez

ESPN ranks Chicago Bears roster among bottom 10 teams in NFL (2023 Season)

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It was no secret that the Chicago Bears would pursue an upgrade at edge rusher at some point during the 2025 NFL offseason, with both free agency and the NFL Draft in play for GM Ryan Poles.

And while the NFL Draft came and went without any pass rushers selected, Poles did ink former Indianapolis Colts defender Dayo Odeyingbo to an eye-opening three-year, $48 million contract in free agency.

The Bears’ need at defensive end was obvious after Montez Sweat led the defense in sacks with just 5.5 in 2024. Chicago just wasn’t good enough up front, which led to Poles potentially overpaying for Odeyingbo, whose outside-inside skill set should make him a three-down asset under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

But will he really be the answer the Bears need in obvious passing situations?

Odeyingbo doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being an elite pass rusher. His best season came in 2023, when he totaled eight sacks and looked like an ascending edge defender. But he regressed to only three sacks last season, which made his free agency value hard to predict.

Dayo Odeyingbo defensive end

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Poles still ponied up to the tune of $16 million per season in what could be deemed a desperate time calling for a desperate measure.

“Odeyingbo was signed because he fits what Dennis Allen wants in an edge rusher,” FanSided’s Parker Hurley wrote. “His size, length, and ability to defend the run made him a scheme match. He is coming off an eight-sack season in 2024 and is still just 26, so the potential is there. Still, that performance stands out as a spike in an otherwise modest career. Was it a turning point, or just an outlier?”

The Bears are banking on Odeyingbo’s upside shining through in Allen’s system. It’s a big gamble, considering Poles didn’t add any players who would qualify as a Plan B.

It could be deja vu all over again.

Last year’s fifth-round pick, Austin Booker, definitely has potential, but he was the guy pegged as the possible breakout pass rusher last year at this time. He ended his rookie season with only 1.5 sacks.

Hopefully, history won’t repeat itself.

We’ll soon find out whether Ryan Poles struck gold or struck out with Dayo Odeyingbo.