Dennis Allen is taking full responsibility for the Chicago Bears' lackluster pass rush—and he's not pointing fingers anywhere else.
The Bears' defensive coordinator knows the numbers don't lie. Chicago managed just 35 sacks last season, the seventh-fewest in the entire NFL. That's a glaring weakness for a defense that needs to disrupt opposing quarterbacks to take pressure off its secondary. But instead of blaming personnel or pointing to the front office's offseason decisions, Allen is putting the onus squarely on his own coaching.
What's notable is that the Bears didn't add a single edge rusher this offseason. Their top three ends—Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Austin Booker—are all returning in 2026. That's a clear vote of confidence from the organization that the talent is already in the building. The message? The pieces are there; it's up to the coaching staff to unlock them.
For Allen, that means digging into the scheme, the technique, and the game-planning that failed to generate consistent pressure last year. It's a bold, accountable stance from a coordinator who understands that in the NFL, you don't get to hide behind excuses. If the Bears want to compete, the pass rush has to improve—and Allen is ready to lead the charge.
