Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles entertained the idea of reuniting with Khalil Mack, but the former Bears edge rusher agreed to re-sign with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday morning.
Plan B turned into a player entering his prime, and Poles and the Bears are betting on the upside of Dayo Odeyingbo as he prepares to sign his second NFL contract.
Less than three hours after the team finalized a deal to sign center Drew Dalman, the Bears completed negotiations to add Odeyingbo on a three-year contract worth $48 million with $32 million guaranteed. It’s similar to the three-year, $42 million deal Dalman received in that both players received guarantees that basically cover the first two seasons.
Odeyingbo, 25, had only three sacks last season for the Indianapolis Colts, but he posted eight in 2023 and he had 17 quarterback hits each season. The Bears had a complete void opposite Montez Sweat at defensive end, and while Mack would have brought pedigree and proven production, he’s 34 and was coming off a six-sack season with the Chargers.
Odeyingbo, a second-round pick by the Colts out of Vanderbilt in 2021, was an interesting name at the NFL combine last month in Indianapolis. He generated considerable intrigue, but teams — including the Bears — had no idea how high Odeyingbo’s market value would get with so many teams flush with salary-cap space.
He will have to produce opposite Sweat to make it a win, but with nose tackle Andrew Billings returning from injury, veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett also agreeing to terms with the Bears on Monday and the team believing that defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is improving, the line looks much better for new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who has worked with big, long ends like the 6-foot-6, 286-pound Odeyingbo.
The Bears had 40 sacks last season, led by Sweat’s 5½, and they want to see that number climb considerably. They lacked a starter opposite Sweat after releasing DeMarcus Walker, and while they will pay Odeyingbo basically double what Walker was set to earn, there’s reason to believe he’ll be worth it as he’s a solid run defender.
Jarrett, released by the Atlanta Falcons on Monday morning as a salary-cap casualty, quickly found a landing spot with the Bears, who aggressively pounced. The 31-year old will receive $28.5 million guaranteed in a three-year, $43.5 million deal.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honoree in 2020, Jarrett has a reputation as a high-motor defensive disruptor with a special combination of quickness and power. He missed nine games in 2023 with a torn ACL but returned to start all 17 games last season and has proved durable throughout his career, playing in at least 14 games in nine of his 10 seasons.
By agreeing to terms with a center, a defensive end and a defensive tackle, the Bears now have considerable flexibility when looking ahead to the draft. They could add another offensive lineman — potentially a left tackle — with the No. 10 pick, continue to add to the defensive line or go in almost any other direction.
Originally Published: March 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM CDT