Bears lose out on top veteran pass rusher over a measly $5 million

The Chicago Bears entered the offseason in need of pass-rushing help after totaling just 35 sacks this past year, but they haven’t done much of anything to address the issue.

The Bears didn’t sign any anyone in free agency, and they also passed on the opportunity to add an impactful edge rusher in the NFL Draft, leaving Chicago with essentially its same group from the 2025 campaign.

Of course, there are still some veteran pass rushers available on the open market, and the Bears have had the opportunity to sign any of them, but they just watched as one of the top edge rushers still up for grabs joined an NFC foe.

Tom Pelissero of NFL media has reported that Dante Fowler has signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with the Seattle Seahawks, removing a very intriguing candidate for Chicago. The Bears have just $10.8 million in cap room at the moment, so perhaps even at $5 million, Fowler was too expensive for their taste.

Chicago Bears miss out on Dante Fowler

Fowler spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, managing 15 tackles, three sacks and 10 quarterback hits while playing in all 17 games.

Those numbers obviously weren’t particularly impressive, but it should be noted that Fowler is just two years removed from racking up 39 tackles, 10.5 sacks and an interception with the Washington Commanders in 2024.

Fowler was originally selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the third overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft and spent his first three-and-a-half seasons with the Jaguars before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams midway through 2018. His best year came with the Rams in 2019 when he posted 58 tackles and 11.5 sacks.

The 31-year-old also had a two-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons.

As for the Bears, they will be relying heavily on Montez Sweat and Austin Booker in 2026. Sweat led the team with 10 sacks in 2025 while Booker recorded 4.5 sacks in 10 contests, which was good for third on the squad.

Chicago signed Dayo Odeyingbo last spring, but he managed just one sack in eight games before tearing his Achilles back in November.

The Bears will almost certainly need to get a breakout campaign from Booker for their pass rush to properly function next fall.

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