Chicago Bears: NFL Analyst Points Out Glaring Weakness That Could Spell Doom In 2026
The Chicago Bears made several aggressive moves this offseason, but not everyone is convinced they addressed one of their biggest weaknesses.
According to NFL.com analyst Matt Okada, Chicago failed to do enough to improve its defensive tackle position. While the Bears upgraded other areas of the roster, Okada believes the interior of the defensive line remains a major concern heading into the 2026 season.
Chicago Bears Still Have Questions At Defensive Tackle
Okada pointed directly at the Bears’ struggles up front from last season, noting that the interior defensive line wasn’t productive enough against either the run or the pass.
Chicago replaced Andrew Billings with Neville Gallimore while adding some depth pieces, but Okada wasn’t impressed with the changes. In his view, swapping one average contributor for another doesn’t significantly improve a unit that already struggled to generate pressure or stop opposing rushing attacks.
For a team with legitimate playoff aspirations, the defensive tackle position could become an issue if those concerns prove accurate.
Chicago Is Betting On Internal Improvement
While outside analysts may be skeptical, the Bears are clearly confident in the players already on the roster.
Gervon Dexter Jr. remains one of the team’s most important young defenders and is expected to take another step forward this season. Gallimore gives Chicago an experienced veteran, while the coaching staff will also look for increased contributions from its rotational defensive linemen.
Sometimes development from within can be just as valuable as making a splash in free agency.
The Bears Clearly Prioritized Other Areas
It’s also worth remembering that Chicago didn’t ignore the roster this offseason—it simply chose to invest elsewhere.
The Bears spent significant resources upgrading the secondary while continuing to build around quarterback Caleb Williams. Ben Johnson’s offense also received additional attention, making it clear the front office had multiple priorities instead of pouring every available resource into the defensive line.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the defensive tackle group is perfect, but it does explain why the Bears didn’t make a blockbuster addition.
The Defensive Line Will Have To Prove The Critics Wrong
Whether Okada is right won’t be decided until the season begins.
If Dexter takes another leap and Gallimore provides steady production, Chicago’s defensive tackle rotation could be good enough for a defense loaded with talent elsewhere. If the unit continues to struggle against the run or fails to generate interior pressure, however, criticism of the Bears’ offseason approach will only grow louder.
For now, the Bears are betting that internal growth—not another major signing—will be enough to solidify the middle of their defensive front.
