05/31/2026
Chicago's defense will look very different in 2026.
The Chicago Bears won the NFC North, finished 11-6, and reached the Divisional Round of the playoffs in 2025, but several of the team's defensive stat leaders have since moved on.
2025 Bears defensive leaders:
• INTs — Kevin Byard (7) (1st in NFL)
• PDs — Nahshon Wright (11)
• FF — Montez Sweat (3)
• FR — Nahshon Wright (3)
• Sacks — Montez Sweat (10)
• Total tackles — Tremaine Edmunds (112)
• TFL — Montez Sweat (13)
• QB hits — Montez Sweat (18)
Kevin Byard, Nahshon Wright, and Tremaine Edmunds all finished atop at least one major defensive category before departing in free agency.
Montez Sweat is the only player from this group who remains on Chicago's roster entering 2026.
As several of last year's defensive leaders move on, the Bears will be counting on him to help lead the next version of this defense.