The Bears have made three major moves along the offensive line this offseason, and their defensive front is also undergoing changes. Dayo Odeyingbo is headed to the Windy City, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
This will be a three-year deal, Biggs adds. $48MM represents the overall value of the pact, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. $32MM is guaranteed in full, according to his colleague Ian Rapoport.
PFR’s No. 12 overall free agent, Odeyingbo will parlay his work in multiple D-line roles in Indianapolis into an upper-middle-class D-tackle deal in Chicago. Odeyingbo became a bit too pricey for the Colts to retain, as they already have D-line commitments to DeForest Buckner, Samson Ebukam and Grover Stewart; the team also has first-rounders Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu under contract.
Throwing out his injury-delayed rookie season — which came after a pre-draft Achilles tear — Odeyingbo totaled 21 tackles for loss and 45 QB hits in his career. He posted eight sacks in 2023, playing 210 snaps on the inside (compared to 162 in 2024), as the Colts finished with 51 sacks – fifth-most in the league. The young D-end combined for eight sacks between the 2022 and ’24 seasons and has forced four fumbles over the past two years.
Odeyingbo will bring a power component opposite Montez Sweat‘s pure pass-rushing skillset, though the former has extensive experience sliding inside to rush on passing downs. Grady Jarrett is now in place on the Bears’ D-line as well, giving Sweat much better complementary rushers than he enjoyed last season. Bears 2024 trade acquisition Darrell Taylor is now a free agent.
No Bears player surpassed six sacks last season, as Sweat’s total dropped significantly from 2023. The additions of Odeyingbo and Jarrett should add some muscle to Chicago’s defense, thus helping Sweat receive better opportunities. Sweat’s presence also will free up Odeyingbo. After operating as an auxiliary pass rusher with the Colts, the Purdue alum will be expected — via this $16MM-per-year deal — to be a consistent producer. Odeyingbo’s three-year contract will allow for a potential second lucrative payday down the road, should he deliver on this initial accord.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.