Chicago Bears beat reporter has ‘real concerns’ about defense as Week 1 approaches

As we inch closer to gameday, the Chicago Bears are preparing to take on the Carolina Panthers in what should be an intriguing Week 1 matchup.

Both teams exceeded expectations last season: the Bears won the NFC North, and the Panthers grabbed the NFC South crown.

Of all the Week 1 matchups on the slate, this one figures to be quite exciting. Questions loom around the Panthers camp, as Bryce Young is still trying to prove he is the franchise QB in Charlotte. Even after his solid 2025-26 season, Young still has plenty left to show in order for Carolina to commit long-term.

On the other side, the Chicago Bears have their own issues.

Defensively, the Bears are currently a big question mark. Highly paid DB Kyler Gordon will begin the year on the PUP list, and safety Coby Bryant was placed on IR before the start of the season. The secondary will have new faces alongside team veterans, and in a passing league, they could be tested early.

This doesn’t even touch the real issue: the defensive line.

How much pressure is on Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen this season?@BradBiggs responds by eventually turning the attention back to the Bears offense.

“This is a team built to win on offense,” Biggs says. pic.twitter.com/w6SNP9uCK1

— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) September 8, 2026

After an off-season with few additions to its group, the defensive front for the Chicago Bears could be in trouble.

Last year, the Bears sacked the opposing QB just 35 times, the 7th fewest in the NFL. It’s a widespread issue that’s been talked about plenty during the preseason, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon.

Bears beat reporter Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune commented on the defense this morning as he appeared on 104.3 The Score to discuss it as a whole.

“You need all three phases to have success. They’ve built this thing to win on offense, and from that standpoint, I think the pressure is on the other side of the ball. We’ll have to see, but I have real questions about the defensive line.”

Biggs’ tone in the comment seemed worrisome, as he’s mentioned this concern all throughout August and September.

He went on to say that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had praise for 30-year-old journeyman defensive lineman Kentavius Street. Allen said a few days ago that Street has looked the best in the DT group this spring, which is a major concern, and that’s no shot at Street.

It’s the reality of an increasingly concerning situation for the Bears.

With a roster that’s built to score points, is the pressure on Chicago Bears DC Dennis Allen?

When the Bears take the field this Sunday, all eyes will surely be on Caleb Williams. The polarizing Chicago QB is coming off a great sophomore season and will try to build on that in year three.

With that being said, the real eyes should turn towards Dennis Allen’s defense. It’s a group that has new additions, youth, and question marks heading into the season.

In order for Allen’s defense to exceed expectations, he’ll need some new faces to emerge as leaders and difference-makers.

One player to keep an eye on is 2026 sixth-round pick, DT Jordan van den Berg.

The former Georgia Tech d-tackle has turned heads during training camp and will look to provide some young energy on an older interior defensive line. Van den Berg has earned praise from coaches and the press early in camp and into the preseason, and is likely a big reason Gervon Dexter was moved before the season began.

Hopefully that isn’t a decision GM Ryan Poles regrets down the road.

More: Attention turns towards another major concern for the Chicago Bears 

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