Ben Johnson confirms Austin Booker added more body mass in offseason
One of the biggest needs for the Chicago Bears all offseason was getting better at pass rush. Chicago struggled last season getting after the quarterback and it showed at times for the defense.
However, as we enter the next steps of the offseason with OTA’s, the Bears didn’t add another defensive end. Instead, they focused on linebacker, defensive line and the secondary. That’s not to say there weren’t needs there but now Chicago could be relying on better coaching and big seasons from what they have on the roster.
One player that will need to take a big step forward is Austin Booker. He’s shown flashes of being a good pass rusher in this league, coming off a big preseason in 2025. But during the regular season, it took Booker a little bit to get going as he suffered an injury.
Right now in May, Booker looks bigger in terms of body mass and that’s something Ben Johnson confirmed on Thursday.
Ben Johnson confirms Austin Booker got stronger

This was the second OTA practice of the week for the Bears as they hit the field on Thursday. But before practice, Johnson had an interesting comment about Booker.
“He’s still a young player. He’s still developing,” Johnson said. “His body’s changed since he came in the building a year ago, and even from where we ended the season even until when he came back in for the spring program. He continues to add more mass and become a stronger player.”
After Montez Sweat, there’s a role to be had for another pass rusher. That’s wide open with Dayo Odeyingbo still recovering from an injury he suffered last season. Booker figures to be that next guy in line and his development will be key here in 2026.
“He gets smarter as we go and I think the coaching is really going to be conducive to his style of play as well,” Johnson said. “It’s reps, reps, reps with all these players, all these young guys. The more reps they get, the better they’re going to get.”
Now that Booker got stronger, if the technique can get better, it could lead to big things for him. And it certainly would help the Bears pass rush situation a lot.
The post Ben Johnson confirms Austin Booker added more body mass in offseason appeared first on ChiCitySports.
Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/ben-johnson-confirms-austin-booker-added-more-body-mass-in-offseason/
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