The Chicago Bears added to their defense with veteran D-lineman Neville Gallimore. Find out how the free-agent acquisition can help Dennis Allen's defense.
Neville Gallimore brings speed to the defensive line.
The 6-foot-2, 302-pound defensive tackle ran a 4.79 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine in 2020. And that speed is his calling card and one of the reasons why Bears general manager Ryan Poles added him to the roster.
Gallimore highlighted how his speed translates on the football field.
“I think, being a D-lineman, it's always a great thing, right? I take pride in it, you have to be effective as D-line, you have to be able to stop the run. You have to be able to affect the quarterback. But I think for me, the best way to show that you care that you love the game is through your effort. Obviously, I've been blessed to have the speed, but I feel like I try my best to take advantage of that. So, I'm the kind of guy, I don't necessarily speak on it, but it's evident.
I want to make sure I try to be around the ball as much as possible. I feel like the way to show your team, show your defense, show the guys you care about is when you're a big dude that can do his job in the front, but there's a guy that's going to run 20, 30 yards down the field, whatever may be to make plays. And that's how I take pride in doing that.”
The effort Gallimore described shows up on tape, regardless of where he is at on the field and what the situation is in the game. The 29-year-old former third-round draft pick from Oklahoma embodies playing through the final whistle.
Gallimore is coming off his most productive season in the NFL, registering a career-high 38 total tackles, 17 quarterback pressures, 3.5 sacks and three passes defensed. General manager Ryan Poles signed Gallimore to a two-year, $12 million deal.
And that type of production he showcased last season will be welcomed for a Bears' defensive line that struggled to stop the run and affect the quarterback throughout the 2025 NFL season.
The first priority for Gallimore to make an impact on this defense is to show he can effectively stop the run. According to Pro Football Focus, he has been inconsistent at doing so, with his 46.6 run defensive grade through his first six seasons.
However , it is an area where the new Bears defensive lineman strives for excellence.
“I think my effort and my desire to compete at a high level; I think it speaks volume," Gallimore said. "That's something that I take pride in. Apart from obviously being effective as a D-lineman, I think the effort and desire to be at a hundred percent and not take plays off. I think that's something that I take pride in. That has carried me up to this point. It's been a part of my journey, and I think being here is great for that.”