# The Bears defense has more questions than answers

> Chicago's defense lost its best playmakers and replaced them with speed, hope and a rookie safety.
- Title: The Bears defense has more questions than answers | Shortify
- Summary: Chicago's defense lost its best playmakers and replaced them with speed, hope and a rookie safety. Last year's takeaway binge hid a defense that gave up the…
- Keywords: chicago bears, nfl, defense, dennis allen, week 1, news, local, Bears, more, questions, answers, Chicago Sun-Times
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/09/12/bears-panthers-week-1-defense-more-questions-answers-dennis-allen-montez-sweat-devin-bush-nfl
- Published: 2026-09-12T11:01:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: chicago bears, nfl, defense, dennis allen, week 1, news, local
## A defense going backwards
Since their last meaningful snap, the Bears have subtracted more from the defense than they added. Week 1 arrives with the unit unsettled.

> Since the last time they played a meaningful snap, the Bears have lost more on defense than they've gained.
## The interceptions leader walked
Safety Kevin Byard led the NFL in interceptions last season. He left in free agency.
## So did the takeaway leader
Cornerback Nahshon Wright led the league in takeaways and also departed via free agency. Two of the NFL's top ball hawks left the same building.
## Edmunds cut to save money
Tremaine Edmunds ranked third among all linebackers in interceptions. The Bears released him purely as a cost-saving move.
## Gordon out at least four games
Slot corner Kyler Gordon is dealing with a calf injury that has lingered since spring. He misses a minimum of four games.
## Big free-agent signing shelved
Safety Coby Bryant, the team's high-priced free-agency addition, is out until at least December with a knee injury.
## Dexter traded before the cut
Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter was second on the team in sacks last year. He was dealt last month before the Bears could release him.
## Who actually replaces them
In step linebacker Devin Bush, first-round safety Dillon Thieneman and a rotation at defensive tackle. Notably, no new edge rushers at all.
## Sweat puts it bluntly
Montez Sweat says the departed players cannot be replaced, only compensated for, and that the veterans have to carry more.

> You can't really replace those guys, but we have to try our best to do so.
## Allen has no answer yet
Asked how this defense is better, coordinator Dennis Allen would not claim it is. He likes the buy-in and the added speed, but four position groups have new starters.

> I think it's still to be determined.
## Bush sells the identity
Bush describes a hard-nosed, fast, poised group, then admits nobody knows what that actually looks like until the games start.

> We're still developing and still learning what that looks like realistically once we get to Week 1.
## Takeaways hid the real problem
The Bears led the NFL in takeaways and won games because of it. They also allowed the 10th-most points and were the only bottom-10 scoring defense to reach the playoffs.
## The Faustian bargain
Chicago is relevant again, but not because of its defense. Getting past the second round means this unit has to find answers starting Sunday at Carolina.

> I have an idea of what it's supposed to look like. Whether we get to it is up to us.
## Key takeaway

Last year's takeaway binge hid a defense that gave up the 10th-most points in the NFL, and this year's version is thinner.