00:00The Chicago Bears are making bold moves, and this one could change the entire outlook of
00:04their defense. The team has agreed to terms with defensive end Deo Odiembo
00:09on a three-year, $48 million deal. Out of that total, $32 million is guaranteed.
00:15That is a major commitment to a player who has been steadily improving
00:19and now has the opportunity to shine on a revamped Chicago defense.
00:24This move is not just about adding another body to the defensive line,
00:28it is about creating a dangerous, disruptive front that can get after the quarterback.
00:33The Bears have already made significant investments in the pass rush by trading
00:37for Montez Sweat last season, and now they are adding a player who can take some of the
00:42pressure off him. When Sweat came over from the Washington Commanders, the Bears' defense
00:47immediately improved. His presence alone changed the way offenses had to approach Chicago.
00:52But he could not do it alone. He needed help, and now he has it in Deo Odiembo.
01:00Odiembo has spent his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts after being selected in the
01:05second round of the 2021 National Football League draft. Over the past four seasons,
01:10he has developed into a solid pass rusher and an impact player on the defensive front.
01:16He has appeared in 61 games, starting 19 of them, and has recorded 106 tackles,
01:2146 quarterback hits, and 16 and a half sacks. Those numbers might not be elite,
01:26but they show steady progress in production from a player who has not always been in a
01:31full-time starting role. He is a high-motor player, someone who never takes a playoff,
01:36and that relentless energy is something that fits perfectly with what the Bears are trying to build.
01:42Last season, Odiembo took on a larger role with the Colts and responded with his best season yet.
01:49He started a career-high 14 games and played in all 17 for the third consecutive year.
01:55He finished the season with 31 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, and three sacks.
02:02But statistics do not tell the whole story. He was constantly in the backfield, pressuring
02:08quarterbacks and disrupting plays. That kind of effort and energy is exactly what the Bears need
02:14alongside Montez Sweat. When you watch Odiembo on tape, you see a player who plays with power
02:20and discipline. He uses his length to keep offensive linemen off balance, and his first
02:25step allows him to penetrate quickly. While his sack numbers might not be off the charts,
02:30pressure is just as important as production. Quarterbacks do not like to be rushed,
02:34they do not like defenders in their face, and they certainly do not like getting hit. Odiembo
02:40makes sure opposing quarterbacks are uncomfortable on every snap. One of the most exciting aspects
02:46of Odiembo's game is his versatility. He stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 286 pounds,
02:53giving him the ability to play on the edge or slide inside on passing downs. That kind of
02:59flexibility is crucial in today's National Football League. Defensive coordinator Eric
03:04Washington now has a player who can move around and create mismatches. If an offensive line is
03:09focusing too much on sweat, Odiembo will have opportunities to break free and make plays.
03:16With his size, speed, and strength, he can rush the passer from multiple positions, which makes the
03:21entire defensive scheme that much more dangerous. But the Bears were not done with just one major
03:28signing. Right around the same time they locked in Odiembo, they also agreed to terms with veteran
03:34defensive tackle Grady Jarrett on a three-year, $43.5 million deal with $28.5 million guaranteed.
03:43Jarrett is a two-time Pro Bowler who has been a disruptive force on the interior defensive line
03:48for years. With his experience and ability to push the pocket, he will be a perfect complement
03:53to the pass rush. Jarrett has built his career on effort and technique, consistently winning
03:59one-on-one battles against offensive linemen. He is a game changer in the middle of the field
04:04and his presence will make life easier for the entire front seven. With these two signings, the
04:10Bears are sending a clear message they are not just trying to improve, they are trying to build
04:15a defense that can dominate. A defensive line featuring Montez Sweat, Deo Odiembo, and Grady
04:21Jarrett has the potential to be one of the most dangerous in the National Football League.
04:26And for a team that has historically been built on great defense, this is exactly what Bears fans
04:32want to see. Last season, the Bears showed flashes of defensive improvement, but there were still
04:37moments when they struggled to get to the quarterback. In today's game, a strong pass rush
04:42is one of the most important factors in winning. The best defenses in the league are the ones that
04:46can generate pressure consistently. Chicago is making sure they have the pieces to do that.
04:51When a team can rush the passer without having to blitz, it changes everything. It allows the
04:58secondary to play more aggressively, it forces quarterbacks into mistakes, and it leads to
05:02turnovers. That is what the Bears are building. This offseason has been all about making smart
05:08strategic moves. General Manager Ryan Poles has been patient, waiting for the right opportunities
05:14to improve the roster. He has built through the draft, made key trades, and now he is using free
05:19agency to fill critical needs. With Odiombo and Jarrett in place, the Bears defense is starting
05:26to look like a unit that can carry this team to the next level. But there is still work to be done.
05:31The Bears may look to add more depth at linebacker, and there are still questions in the secondary.
05:37But the defensive line is set, and that is the foundation of a great defense.
05:42And this might not be the last move Chicago makes. They still have cap space,
05:47and they still have valuable draft picks. Could another defensive player be added to strengthen
05:51the depth, a safety to solidify the secondary, another pass rusher to keep the rotation fresh?
05:57There are still possibilities, and Poles is not done working. He has shown he is willing to be
06:02aggressive, and if the right opportunity presents itself, the Bears will not hesitate to make
06:06another splash move. The NFC North is wide open, and the Bears are positioning themselves to make
06:14a serious push. The Detroit Lions made a deep playoff run last season, but they are not unbeatable.
06:20The Green Bay Packers are still figuring things out with their young quarterback. The Minnesota
06:25Vikings are in transition. This is a prime opportunity for Chicago to step up and take
06:31control. The Bears are not just trying to compete, they are trying to win. And with a defense that
06:37can create pressure, force turnovers, and control the game, they have a real chance to do just that.
06:42And it all starts in the trenches. The Bears are building their defense the right way with strong,
06:47physical players who can control the line of scrimmage. This is what made Chicago great in
06:51the past, and it is what will make them great again. When you look at the great Bears teams
06:56of history, they all had one thing in common, a dominant defense. This team is taking the steps
07:02to get back to that identity, and it is something every Bears fan should be excited about.
07:08Bears fans, get excited. This team is coming together, and they are doing it the right way.
07:12The monsters of the midway are making their return, and it is going to be fun to watch.
07:18Deo Odeyengbo is just one piece of the puzzle, but he is a big one, and with the season approaching,
07:23the excitement is only going to build. Welcome to Chicago, Deo. It is time to get to work.
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