The Chicago Bears continued their 2025 free-agency frenzy with the signing of Defensive End Dayo Odeyingbo. Odeyingbo has agreed to terms on a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million guaranteed. Odeyingbo, 25, comes over from the Indianapolis Colts where he has played since being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Odeyingbo has shown the ability to play on the interior and exterior of the defensive front, a skill that should come into play with the Chicago Bears defensive line as currently constituted.
Odeyingbo has played in every game the last three seasons, making 100 tackles, 16 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. After splitting time on the interior and exterior of the defensive front in Indianapolis, Odeyingbo is expected to take the majority of his snaps on the edge after the Chicago Bears released DeMarcus Walker earlier this offseason. If Odeyingbo fits in at the edge spot, he will be playing opposite one of Chicago’s premier defensive threats in Montez Sweat.
Dayo Odeyingbo Joins Chicago Bears On Three-Year Deal
The Chicago Bears have turned their attention to the defensive side of the line of scrimmage in free agency. After addressing the offensive line with three transactions so far this offseason, a pair of trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, and a free agent acquisition of Drew Dalman, GM Ryan Poles, and the Chicago Bears front office have made a signing to address the defensive side of the ball. Odeyingbo signed a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million guaranteed. Odeyingbo, 25, has spent the first four seasons of his career in Indianapolis with the Colts after being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Odeyingbo played in 10 games as a rookie before playing in every single game the last three seasons. Playing on both the interior and exterior of the defensive line, Odeyingbo has shown himself to be a versatile and dependable weapon up front. He now heads to Chicago where he will be paired with Sweat on the line of scrimmage for Dennis Allen in his first year as the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator.
Allen has much to look forward to with Odeyingbo at his disposal. The 6-foot-6, 286-pound defender from Vanderbilt has made 106 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries in 61 games, with the lion’s share of that production coming in the last three seasons. Although Odeyingbo has displayed the capacity to play on both the interior and exterior of the defensive line, he is likely to spend the majority of his time on the edge after the Chicago Bears released Walker earlier this offseason.
Final Thoughts
I’m not a huge fan of this move by Poles and the Chicago Bears front office. Odeyingbo is a solid player, but I don’t think he is worth the price tag. Even though only the first two years of the contract are guaranteed, I think those financial resources could be better allocated to other positions or to other players from that position group. Odeyingbo has been durable but inconsistent with his play in his career and likely won’t prove this deal to be worth it.
I like the impulse from Poles to address the defensive line with the same intensity as the offensive line, but I believe there are other avenues available to make that happen. I am more than willing to be proven wrong and all the best to Odeyingbo as he preps to play for Allen, but Austin Booker has gotten rave reviews for his play on the practice field and special teams. I would’ve rather seen him get a chance to play opposite Sweat and have the $16 million available to play with. The Chicago Bears are being active this offseason though, and for now that earns them the benefit of the doubt in my eyes with this move.
