LAKE FOREST, Ill. (104.3 The Score) – So often throughout Bears history, there has been wonder about whether Chicago will have a defense dominant enough to bail out a lowly offense.
As a much-anticipated new season kicks off Sunday with the Bears playing the Panthers in Charlotte, the script is flipped. Chicago has an offense that should rank among the best in the NFL once again – and a defense that’s the subject of uncertainty and scrutiny.
The Bears led the NFL in takeaways in 2025 while finishing 29th in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense. As everyone looks ahead to this 2026 season, sustaining the turnover magic seems unlikely. It means that Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen faces a tall task this season.
Safety Coby Bryant, whom the Bears signed to a three-year, $40-million deal in March, is set to miss the majority – if not all – of the regular season due to a knee injury. Top nickelback Kyler Gordon, a key piece of Allen’s plans, is away from the team while rehabbing a calf injury. Gordon has been the source of frustration internally at Halas Hall. Meanwhile, the Bears defense is hoping for healthier seasons from cornerback Jaylon Johnson, linebacker T.J. Edwards, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo.
Allen is piecing together his defense the best he can. Meanwhile, skepticism is warranted for the unit.
“Hopefully, if we continue to play with the relentless intensity and we force the offense to have to execute, that's ultimately what we're looking for,” Allen said.
In the offseason, Bears general manager Ryan Poles set out to revamp the defense to align with Allen’s aggressive-minded mentality. That led to the signing of Bryant and the selection of safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round as Chicago parted ways with starting safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Cornerback Nahshon Wright, a Pro Bowl player who had five interceptions last season, walked in free agency as well. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, a team captain for the past three years, was released, and Devin Bush was signed to replace him.
With those exits, the Bears parted ways with the players who accounted for 22 of their NFL-leading 33 takeaways in 2025. The Bears were highly reliant on those game-changing plays as their defense allowed 361.8 yards per game and 6.0 yards per play. Bears opponents scored on 38.9% of their drives in 2025 while 18.3% ended in turnovers.
Was this Bears defense going to be improved with Bryant and Gordon healthy? Perhaps. Without them, it’s difficult to make that case.
Allen, who turns 54 later in September, was the hand-picked defensive complement for Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who valued Allen’s ability to create game plans that are difficult for offenses to counter.
Twice fired as a head coach, Allen has found a comfortable landing spot as the Bears’ defensive coordinator. He’s a trusted lieutenant alongside Johnson and has the respect of his players. Allen is positioned to work alongside Johnson for years to come, much in the same way that Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been a key figure at legendary head coach Andy Reid’s side.
But Allen will be the subject of criticism – whether it’s warranted or not – if the Bears’ defense scuffles while Johnson’s offense thrives. Such is life as an NFL defensive coordinator.
Hopes are high for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and a Johnson-led offense that should post points on the scoreboard. However, Chicago will be watching closely to see if its defense can do its job.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
