{"id":800902,"date":"2026-05-16T16:07:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T16:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/800902\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T16:07:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T16:07:19","slug":"chicago-bears-opinion-of-the-day-we-are-looking-at-this-all-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/800902\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears Opinion of the Day: We are looking at this all wrong."},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">All offseason, the focus has been on what is missing on the Chicago Bears\u2019 defensive line. How we lack impact. How we lack depth. How championship teams are built with elite DLs. So on and so on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">I get it \u2014 I also have thought for the last several months that the Bears should and would improve their DL. Yet, here we are in May, and the biggest additions to the DL this offseason have been Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg, and 20 lbs of muscle on Austin Booker.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">However, yesterday, over my lunch break, I decided to watch a condensed version of the Bears-Rams playoff game \u2014 the first time I have watched it since the broadcast. Something really stuck out to me with how Dennis Allen stymied the high-powered Rams offense; he was bringing pressure from all over the place.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">In fact, look at the trends of Dennis Allen blitzing in 2025:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1\">\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">In weeks 1-8, Dennis Allen brought blitzes on 15.8% of snaps.<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">In weeks 9-17, Dennis Allen brought blitzes on 20.1% of snaps.<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">In losses, Dennis Allen brought blitzes on 13.9% of snaps.<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">In wins, Dennis Allen brought blitzes on 20.5% of snaps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">In other words, Allen learned as the season progressed that this defense is built for blitzing, and he was successful when doing it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Now, there could be an argument for the fact that it\u2019s easier to blitz bad quarterbacks (ask Shadeur Sanders), but I think the trend is suggesting that Dennis Allen is getting a little blitzier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Let\u2019s look at the two playoff games last season, against two quarterbacks who are no slouches in Jordan Love and Matthew Stafford.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Against the Packers, Dennis Allen brought 28 blitzes on 71 snaps, a rate of 39%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Against the Rams, Allen brought 29 blitzes on 78 snaps for a similarly high rate of 37%.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.windycitygridiron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/180\/2026\/05\/gettyimages-2257893467.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"3532\" data-pswp-width=\"5298\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 18: Jaquan Brisker #9 of the Chicago Bears sacks Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brooke Sutton\/Getty Images)\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/gettyimages-2257893467.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>CHICAGO, ILLINOIS &#8211; JANUARY 18: Jaquan Brisker #9 of the Chicago Bears sacks Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brooke Sutton\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">In each of these instances, the Bears held two strong offenses in check. This tells me that Allen\u2019s scheme might be evolving.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Many of us may interpret the increase in blitzing as a result of an underperforming DL, but the Bears\u2019 2026 offseason tells me otherwise. It would appear that Allen is doing the defensive equivalent of what Ben Johnson is doing on the offensive side of the ball \u2014 find athletes that can line up anywhere and do anything.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The advent of the 12 and 13 personnel sets is an evolution in having flexible athletes on the field. Players can block, pass, catch, and get down the field. The addition of another athlete in Sam Roush only emboldens this vision \u2014 proof that Ben Johnson wants players that are strong, fast, and athletic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Meanwhile, we see hybrid-type players starting to become trendy. Players like Kyle Hamilton, Nick Emmanwori, and even Fred Warner are all unconventional in their size and skillsets &#8211; chess pieces that can be lined up in coverage, on the edge, or at the line against the run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Which brings me back to the playoff game against the Rams. Jaquan Brisker had a day against Los Angeles with 14 tackles, 2 PDs, and a sack. He was all over the field \u2014 and seemingly finally unlocked in Dennis Allen\u2019s evolution. The Bears have added at least three new faces to the back seven that can play similar hybrid roles in Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman, and Devin Bush. Each guy is physical, fast, and versatile.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.windycitygridiron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/180\/2026\/05\/gettyimages-2263955098.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"3439\" data-pswp-width=\"2456\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images)\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/gettyimages-2263955098.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA &#8211; FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Add them to a roster that already has a player like Kyler Gordon, and Allen\u2019s defense suddenly has immense versatility in how he can deploy these players. I expect him to create a lot of confusion at the line of scrimmage that will lead to a lot of sacks and turnovers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Sure, the DL still doesn\u2019t feel like a complete unit \u2014 I agree. But I think we have been looking at this wrong all offseason. Dennis Allen wants speed. He wants athletes. He wants confusion, and the more I think about it, the more I think that this defense is going to take a big step in 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"All offseason, the focus has been on what is missing on the Chicago Bears\u2019 defensive line. How we&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":800903,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5124],"tags":[960,193211,37272,5386,1818,210995],"class_list":{"0":"post-800902","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago","8":"tag-chicago","9":"tag-chicago-bears-analysis","10":"tag-chicago-bears-news","11":"tag-il","12":"tag-illinois","13":"tag-inside-the-numbers"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116585120679604146","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/800902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=800902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/800902\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/800903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=800902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=800902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=800902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}