yardbarker
Chicago's hopes of adding DeForest Buckner to its defensive front have been dashed, as the veteran defensive tackle has finalized his return to the San Francisco 49ers. The development forces the Bears to explore alternative avenues for bolstering their defensive line.
According to Schultz, rival teams have linked Chicago to Khalil Mack, suggesting a potential high-profile reunion could be on the horizon. Mack, a former Bears standout, would bring significant experience to a defense that has performed well collectively but lacks individual standout production.
Buckner would have represented a clear upgrade for a Bears defensive line that traded away Gervon Dexter to Atlanta before the regular season began. Currently, no Chicago defensive tackle has recorded more than one sack or two tackles for loss this year.
Veteran Grady Jarrett, now 33 and in his 12th NFL season, has been notably unproductive despite carrying a hefty 71.5% snap share. As a team, the Bears rank 23rd in rushing yards allowed per attempt, highlighting a vulnerability in run defense.
Despite these individual struggles, the Bears defense has graded as a top-10 unit overall, indicating that players have adapted well to Dennis Allen's scheme in his second year as defensive coordinator. Chicago's leading sack producers are edge rusher Austin Booker and cornerback Kyler Gordon, each with four sacks, while Booker, Gordon, and linebacker Devin Bush all have five tackles for loss. No single player is dominating statistically, but the system is clearly functioning effectively.
Key Analysis
Mack could still return to Chicago, bringing over a decade of NFL experience to a team gearing up for a playoff push. He has started the year with three sacks and five tackles for loss, putting him on pace to surpass his 2025 numbers if he remains healthy. The winless Chargers are resisting a full rebuild, but moving on from the 35-year-old edge rusher may be the best path for their long-term future.
Originally reported by yardbarker.