Chicago Bears Secure Edge Rusher Dayo Odeyingbo with Three-Year, $48 Million Deal
The Chicago Bears made a bold move on the first day of the 2025 NFL free agency, agreeing to terms with former Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo on a three-year, $48 million contract. While the deal was initially reported as a standard three-year agreement, the full contract details have now been revealed, shedding light on the structure and financial implications for the Bears.
According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Odeyingbo’s deal is much more intricate than the headline figure suggests. The contract guarantees $32 million and includes a $13.5 million signing bonus. His base salaries are set at $3 million for 2025 (fully guaranteed), $15.5 million for 2026 (fully guaranteed on the third day of the league year), and $13.5 million for 2027. Additionally, Odeyingbo has a $500K workout bonus each year and a $1 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2027 league year.
In terms of cap hits, Odeyingbo’s first year with the Bears will carry a manageable $8 million cap hit, which includes his base salary, a likely earned bonus, and prorated signing bonus costs. However, his cap hit will rise to $20.5 million in 2026 due to his salary increase. The contract is structured in such a way that the Bears can easily move on from the deal after the 2026 season if necessary, providing them with flexibility moving forward.
Odeyingbo’s deal represents a significant leap of faith for the Bears, as he has yet to fully deliver on the potential expected of him after being selected by the Colts in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite his promise, Odeyingbo’s production has been inconsistent. In 2024, he started a career-high 14 games but saw a dip in performance, registering just three sacks after posting eight in 2023. While those numbers are somewhat underwhelming, the Bears see significant upside in Odeyingbo as a key piece of their defensive line.
At 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, Odeyingbo possesses the physical traits of an ideal edge rusher. Known for his ability to set the edge in the run game and his versatility on all three downs, he is expected to thrive in Chicago’s defense under head coach Matt Eberflus. The Bears are hopeful that their coaching staff can unlock his high ceiling, making the deal an investment in his continued development.
Though Odeyingbo’s production hasn’t been elite, the Bears are betting on his potential to become a more consistent force in the pass rush. As the team continues to build its defense, Odeyingbo represents a significant part of their efforts to bolster the front seven and create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2025 and beyond.