Chicago Bears Ben Johnson Reveals Why The Team Ignored Critical Position in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears left plenty of fans scratching their heads during the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite obvious needs along the defensive front, the front office completely bypassed the edge rusher position. The team only drafted one defensive lineman overall, grabbing tackle Jordan van den Berg late in the sixth round.

So, why exactly did Chicago ignore such a premium, high-impact position? Head coach Ben Johnson recently cleared the air regarding the team’s draft strategy. Instead of looking for outside help, he is putting the pressure squarely on himself and his coaching staff. Johnson firmly believes they need to get more out of the players already in the building.

A Refreshing Approach to Roster Development

Instead of blaming a lack of talent for last season’s pass-rush struggles, Johnson took immediate accountability. “We’re certainly going to coach better than we did a year ago,” Johnson bluntly stated. “And like I said before, it starts there.” The full quote is worth sharing because it speaks to why Ben Johnson is so popular with fans.

“We’re certainly going to coach better than we did a year ago. And like I said before, it starts there. We’ve made a concerted effort in how we’re going to get that done. We are excited about the guys that ended up finishing the season on IR, the trajectory that they were on, both Dayo (Odeyingbo) and Shemar (Turner).

When you look at it from the start of the season to the point where they both got injured, we saw growth and we saw them trending in the right direction, in terms of what we want to see on game day.”

“I think (Montez) Sweat had one of his better years in the NFL. Whether that shows up in the sack total or not, he’s a very complete player, both in the run game and pass game. I think you saw tremendous growth from (DL Austin) Booker when we were finally able to get him back, as well. The combination of us being able to coach better and those guys taking the next step as part of this system, I think we have some pretty good pieces to work with.”

This approach reveals a great deal about Ben Johnson’s overall leadership style. He refuses to use the draft as a crutch to fix schematic or developmental shortcomings. He believes his staff must step up and maximize the potential of the guys currently wearing navy and orange. It sets a tone of extreme accountability for both the players and the men holding the clipboards.

Banking on Major Returns from the Injured List

A massive part of Ben Johnson’s confidence stems from the expected return of two key defenders. Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner both ended the 2025 season on injured reserve. The coaching staff believes getting these two fully healthy is essentially the equivalent of acquiring two high-end draft picks.

Odeyingbo arguably has the most to prove this year. The Bears handed him a hefty three-year, $48 million contract last offseason. Unfortunately, a torn Achilles in November cut his debut season short after he logged just a single sack in eight games.

Meanwhile, Turner, a highly touted former second-round pick, battled a lingering ankle issue before suffering a torn ACL in Week 8. Getting a full, healthy season from this hybrid duo could drastically change the entire look of the defensive line.

Maximizing Current Defensive Stars

Beyond the returning injured players, Johnson sees a solid foundation already in place. He praised Montez Sweat for having a highly productive year, noting that his impact goes far beyond raw sack totals. Sweat remains a complete player who effectively sets the edge against both the run and the pass.

Johnson also highlighted the late-season surge from Austin Booker. Once Booker finally returned to the lineup, the coaching staff saw tremendous growth and rapid development. Combining Booker’s upward trajectory with Sweat’s steady veteran presence gives the Bears a highly reliable starting point on the edge.

A Calculated Gamble for the Defense

Relying on internal development and major injury recoveries is certainly a gamble in the NFL. If Odeyingbo and Turner struggle to return to their previous form, the lack of draft investment could haunt the Chicago Bears early in the season. Opposing quarterbacks could have far too much time in the pocket.

However, Johnson’s unwavering belief in his coaching staff builds a strong, fiercely loyal locker room culture. He is betting on his teachers to teach and his players to execute. Keep a close eye on the Chicago Bears defensive line during training camp. We will soon find out if this bold, coaching-first strategy pays off on the field.