The Chicago Bears' pass rush has been a topic of concern this offseason, especially after the team finished 22nd in sacks (35) and 29th in pressure percentage (28%) last season. While many fans were hoping for an edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft, head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles have a different plan in mind—and it centers on a familiar face.
Enter Austin Booker, the defensive end who turned heads in just 10 games last season. With 10 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and 4.5 sacks, Booker showed flashes of game-changing potential. According to Bears beat reporter Courtney Cronin, who spoke on SportsCenter Friday, the team believes the solution to their pass-rush woes is already on the roster. "The Bears believe that the answer to fixing that weak link is within," Cronin said, pointing to Booker's late-season surge as a sign of what's to come.
Johnson echoed that sentiment during a press conference after Day 3 of the draft. "Montez Sweat had one of his better years in the NFL, whether that shows up in the sack total or not," Johnson noted. "And you saw tremendous growth from Austin Booker when we were able to get him back. The combination of us being able to coach better and those guys taking the next step as part of this system—we've got some pretty good pieces to work with."
This isn't just offseason optimism. Back in March, Chicago Tribune reporter Brad Biggs highlighted the Bears' excitement about Booker's development trajectory. As Booker enters his third NFL season, the team expects him to build on his momentum. "If Austin Booker can pick up where he left off at the end of last season, that's one way for the Bears to be better rushing the passer," Biggs reported.
For a defense that struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, Booker's physical development and growing confidence could be the key to unlocking a more disruptive pass rush. And for fans, it's a reminder that sometimes the biggest upgrades come from within—especially when a young player is primed for a breakout year.