Bear Digest

Chicago Bears Named a Fit For Super Bowl Edge Rusher in 2026 NFL Free Agency

The Bears are being linked to a Super Bowl edge rusher as Chicago explores pass-rush upgrades ahead of 2026 free agency.
Bryan Perez|
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Chicago Bears

When CBS Sports listed Boye Mafe among its top 50 free agents available in 2026 NFL free agency, the connection to the Chicago Bears was obvious. For a team in desperate need of reliable pass rushers opposite Montez Sweat, Mafe represents exactly what GM Ryan Poles is expected to target this March.

Mafe's 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was, admittedly, uneven. His role diminished as the year progressed, but his flashes remained. He possesses a quick get-off, power through contact, and the ability to disrupt plays, even if the stat sheet isn't overflowing with sacks.

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For the Bears, disruption would be production. In fact, Mafe's ability to collapse the pocket would likely create more clean-up sacks. Pairing him with Sweat would give the Chicago Bears an imposing tandem with a high floor and a high ceiling.

CBS Sports listed the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, and Indianapolis Colts as potential suitors for Mafe, but the Bears are entering the offseason with as much momentum and positive vibes as any team in the NFL. Dennis Allen already has a playoff-ready defense. It's just missing a player like Mafe who can put it over the top.

Any veteran would love to feel that needed.

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Mafe ended the 2025 season with two sacks for the Seattle Seahawks. He recorded a career-best nine sacks for Seattle in 2023.

Mafe won't command top-of-the-market money. According to Spotrac, he's expected to generate offers around $8 million per year, with a projected contract value of two years, $16.1 million.

A payday like that makes Boye Mafe a low-risk, high-reward target for the Chicago Bears in free agency.

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Bryan Perez
BRYAN PEREZ

Bryan Perez founded and operated Bears Talk, a Chicago sports blog. Prior to that, he covered the Bears for USA Today’s Bears Wire and NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to his Chicago Bears coverage, Perez is a respected member of NFL Draft media and was a past winner of The Huddle's Mock Draft competition. Bryan's past life includes time as a Northeast scout for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks.

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