Bears DL Dayo Odeyingbo Continues to Make Impact Plays for Chicago's Defense

Dayo Odeyingbo lined up inside of Montez Sweat on second-and-8 with 9:46 left in the second quarter of the Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets at Soldier Field last Sunday.

The Chicago Bears' defensive lineman attempted to get through the Jets' right guard to get to Geno Smith, but once the Jets' quarterback left the pocket, Odeyingbo followed. The 6-foot-5, 282-pound D-lineman chased Smith to the right side of the field, forcing him out of bounds for a 4-yard loss, giving Odeyingbo his third sack of the season. 

Odeyingbo is making an impact on this Chicago Bears' defense. He leads the team with three sacks and 13 total quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Odeyingbo's pressure stats through the first four games are more than what he produced in the eight games (10 QB pressures and 1 sack) he played last season before tearing his right Achilles. 

“He’s playing at a really high level," Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. "I think Jeremy Garrett made a comment today when we were going over the grades, the game rewards hard work, and it couldn’t be truer in the case of a Dayo. They’re trying to throw a tight end screen and his length’s able to knock that ball down. He’s flashed as an interior rusher all four games this year so far. So really pleased with where he’s at. His high effort, high intensity shows up week-in and week-out.”

After Odeyingbo disrupted the Jets' screen pass in the second quarter, New York was called for a delay of game on third-and-10. Then Odeyingbo helped defensive end Austin Booker get himself a sack on third-and-15 after he occupied the left guard, left tackle and running back, leaving Booker a free lane to sack Smith. 

The deflected pass and Booker sack highlight the versatility that Odeyingbo adds to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's defense. He's lined up on the edge one play and seamlessly moves inside on third down. 

Here are Odeyingbo's alignments on the defensive line through the first four weeks, according to PFF. 

Allen has consistently discussed the importance of versatility in his defense. With Odeyingbo healthy, he's not only giving his defensive coordinator options, he's creating impact plays for a Bears defense that has shown dramatic improvement since the Week 1 over the Carolina Panthers. 

The Bears signed Odeyingbo to a 3-year, $48 million contract with $32 million guaranteed. While his first season in Chicago raised valid questions about the team's investment, he has become a vital asset to the defense. 

Odeyingbo is well aware of the "Motivated Dayo Odeyingbo" running joke on social media and doesn't view it was offensive. He's playing motivated after his first season with the Bears was cut short and the entire team is benefitting from his strong start to the 2026 NFL season.