LAKE FOREST, Ill. (WGN) — Chicago Bears defensive end and prized offseason free agent acquisition Dayo Odeyingbo is out for the season after tearing his Achilles, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Odeyingbo, one of general manager Ryan Poles’ big gets in free agency meant to bolster a lackluster defensive line, had nine tackles and 1 sack in eight games on the season for the Bears.
His loss is a 2-for-1 blow to the Bears’ defense. Odeyingbo joins Shemar Turner on the list of Chicago defensive linemen who are lost for the year due to serious leg injuries, which now calls their depth in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball into serious question.
When asked about whether he and Poles have had any conversations about acquiring a new defensive end ahead of Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT trade deadline, Ben Johnson said Poles “is doing his due diligence to see whoever might be available that can help this team win football games.”
He signed a 3-year, $48 million deal last offseason after spending four years with the Indianapolis Colts, where he was a streaky contributor. His best season in the NFL came in 2023, when he registered 38 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 8.0 sacks in 17 games as a rotational pass rusher behind Samson Ebukam and Kwity Paye.
The Bears’ next game is a noon kickoff on Sunday at Soldier Field against the New York Giants (2-7).