Key injuries and a potential trade leave the Bears' linebacker corps in flux, creating a looming 2026 roster puzzle.
The game of football is very unforgiving, and the Chicago Bears understand that well.
The team had to overcome injuries to many key players this past season, starting with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon.
Johnson had a groin injury that kept him out of the lineup from Week 2 through Week 13. Gordon sustained hamstring, calf, and groin injuries throughout the year, forcing him to miss significant time.
Then, in the second half of the season, Rome Odunze went down with a foot stress fracture and Tremaine Edmunds suffered a groin injury in the 19-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The team got healthy in time for the postseason, but the injuries didn't stop there.
T.J. Edwards and Ozzy Trapilo sustained season-ending injuries in the Wild Card win versus the Green Bay Packers.
Then, on Wednesday, news broke that the Bears had granted Edmunds permission to seek a trade. While one of the talking points this offseason has been what the Bears need to do about left tackle, it's worth noting that linebacker is looking like it could be an issue as well.
Edwards suffered a fractured fibula in that game, and there is uncertainty about how long it will take before fans see him on the field again. Trapilo is already predicted miss most of the 2026 season, and Edwards could do the same.
With Edmunds likely playing for another team next season, this means that Noah Sewell is looking like he'll be the only starting linebacker from last season playing in 2026.
The Bears are already thinner at linebacker after releasing Amen Ogbongbemiga. D'Marco Jackson is set to hit the free-agent market, but it may be worth bringing him back on a new deal, given how the linebacker room is shaping up in Chicago for 2026.
Linebacker is quietly becoming one of the Bears' most important needs this offseason. Chicago could need to draft a linebacker or bring in a free agent this offseason.
We could even see the Bears select a linebacker before an edge rusher in the draft. General Manager Ryan Poles shared that the edge rusher class is deeper than the interior defensive line.
Is there a chance the Bears take a linebacker in the first round? We'll have to wait and see.
With how little depth the Bears are projecting to have at linebacker, the position may be the most important need of all.