READY TO DOMINATE: Dayo Odeyingbo Eyes Breakout Season in Aggressive Bears Defense

The Chicago Bears held a closed walkthrough on Monday at Halas Hall, inaccessible to both fans and media. Here’s a breakdown of what took place:

Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, entering his first year with the Bears and fifth in the NFL, believes he’s set for his best season yet.

“This offseason, I trained with that mindset,” said Odeyingbo. “I genuinely feel like I’m in peak condition and in the best position I’ve ever been to perform. I’m really excited about what I can bring this year.”

Odeyingbo joined the Bears in March after spending four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, who selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft from Vanderbilt. He played in 61 games, starting 19, and tallied 106 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks during his time with the Colts.

Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 286 pounds, Odeyingbo posted career-high numbers in 2023 with 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and eight sacks.

He’s confident that new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system is a great match for his skill set. When asked what he appreciates most about the scheme, he responded: “I like how aggressive it is. It creates different looks that challenge both the run and pass games. It definitely puts pressure on the offense.”

With Allen known for blitz-heavy playcalling, Odeyingbo anticipates opportunities to thrive alongside the defensive line.

“Bringing pressure with five or six guys and moving the D-line around makes a big difference,” he said. “It gives us more chances to attack confidently, knowing we’re supported. That split-second hesitation it creates for offensive linemen can work in our favor.”

Odeyingbo also spoke highly of new head coach Ben Johnson.

“He holds everyone to a high standard,” he said. “You can tell he’s a perfectionist—he expects things done his way and isn’t afraid to point it out when they’re not. That kind of leadership is exactly what a team needs.”

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