It was a helmet-and-shorts Wednesday practice session at Halas Hall on June 3 -- no pads and no live contact -- but the significance of the day for Chicago Bears' defense was anything but routine.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo returned to on-field practice together for the first time since sustaining separate season-ending injuries during the 2025 NFL campaign. Their presence at the organized team activities (OTAs), even in this limited capacity, is a tangible sign of progress in their recoveries and a positive development for a Bears defense that struggled with health last season.
A Tale of Two Recoveries
Edwards suffered a serious injury during the 2025 season and was sidelined for the remainder of the year. Odeyingbo, signed in March 2025 as a free agent to boost the Bears' pass rush opposite Montez Sweat, endured a season-ending Achilles tear before making a significant impact. Both players entered the 2026 offseason still on the mend.
Though the Bears have not publicly disclosed specific details of the injuries, Odeyingbo's recovery timeline had been conservatively set for a training camp return. His participation in voluntary OTAs this early not only meets but accelerates those expectations. Edwards, known for his reliable presence in the linebacker core since joining Chicago in 2023, is also ahead of any prior public timeline.
Neither player is yet participating in full-team drills, an understandable precaution during the voluntary stages of practice. However, their involvement in individual and positional work -- running routes, engaging in footwork drills, and taking productive reps -- marks a crucial milestone in their rehabilitation.
Impact on the Bears' Defensive Depth Chart
Edwards' return is especially meaningful in light of Chicago's linebacker depth. The unit currently features Jack Sanborn, Devin Bush, Nephi Sewell, and young talents like 2025 draft pick Ruben Hyppolite II and 2026 rookie Keyshaun Elliott. Edwards has long been a stalwart inside linebacker, known more for his hard-nosed tackling, gap discipline, and football IQ than for highlight plays.
His 2024 season, the last full campaign he played, included over 130 combined tackles, anchoring the Bears' run defense and serving as an on-field leader and signal-caller. Losing that presence in 2025 contributed to occasional breakdowns defending inside zone and gap-run plays, especially when other starters were rotated in.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who emphasized a commitment to fundamentals and improving team speed in his recent comments, benefits greatly from Edwards' reliable, no-nonsense style of play.
For Odeyingbo, his return offers the Bears a valuable power edge rusher who had begun to show promise disrupting opposing offenses before his Achilles injury. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Odeyingbo was acquired to complement Montez Sweat, allowing Chicago to establish a two-deep edge rotation. This duo would enable Allen to deploy Sweat more strategically without him drawing constant double teams.
Alongside rotational players like Austin Booker and Jamree Kromah, Odeyingbo's full recovery would significantly enhance the defensive line's depth and versatility, a priority for the Bears' frontline scheming this offseason.
Progress But Patience Remains Key
Not all recoveries are created equal, and the Bears' medical staff and coaching team are taking a measured approach. OTAs remain voluntary, and both Edwards and Odeyingbo are easing back without full contact or full-team scrimmages. The workload is expected to increase gradually as minicamp and then training camp begin in mid to late June and July.
The June 3 practice represented an encouraging checkpoint: no setbacks and clear evidence the two veterans are regaining their form amid a defense integrating several new faces at safety, cornerback, and along the defensive line.
This year's context differs notably from 2025, when Edwards was still early in recovery during this period and Odeyingbo had just joined the team, still managing his injury from the prior season with the Colts.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While the Bears still face significant rebuilding both offensively and defensively, the timely return of Edwards and Odeyingbo improves their outlook on defense heading into the 2026 campaign.
Montez Sweat remains the defensive star, with emerging players like Jaylon Johnson in the secondary and Gervon Dexter Sr. showing potential inside. The addition of these two experienced, fundamentally sound defenders back to the rotation should help Chicago maintain more consistent run defense and pass-rush pressure.
Edwards' contribution anchors the linebacker corps in defending the run and making smart plays. Odeyingbo adds a fresh option on the edge to complement Sweat's pass-rushing prowess.
These details may not immediately swing season-win projections or Super Bowl odds, but they provide critical building blocks that could elevate the Bears' defense from a middle-tier unit into a more formidable group.
The offense, led by quarterback Caleb Williams with promising weapons like Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Kalif Raymond, remains a work in progress, especially with ongoing changes to the offensive line.
Still, the healthy return of Edwards and Odeyingbo injects optimism into Chicago's defensive plans. After months of rehabilitation and limited availability, the sight of these key players back on the field working with teammates brings a measure of confidence.
It is a small but meaningful step -- one that sets a hopeful tone for the Bears as they prepare for training camp and the 2026 season ahead.
References
- Reports from Bears OTAs (June 3, 2026)
- Coach Dennis Allen's comments on defensive fundamentals and team speed (June 1, 2026)
- Player injury news and recovery timelines for T.J. Edwards and Dayo Odeyingbo (May-June 2026)