Ben Johnson discusses 'motivated' Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo
Dayo Odeyingbo 's first season with the Chicago Bears didn't go according to plan, as he only played in eight games after rupturing his Achilles tendon in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals . Coming off a career year with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, Odeyingbo received his
Dayo Odeyingbo 's first season with the Chicago Bears didn't go according to plan, as he only played in eight games after rupturing his Achilles tendon in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals .
Coming off a career year with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, Odeyingbo received his first big pay day with a three-year, $48 million contract, including $32 million guaranteed, with the Bears last offseason. It was the same offseason that general manager Ryan Poles signed veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett , retooled the offensive line, and hired head coach Ben Johnson.
With only 16.5 career sacks upon arriving in Chicago, the move seemed questionable, but Odeyingbo planned to prove his worth to the city. In his short sample size last season, he tallied just one sack, four QB hits, 21 tackles, and two tackles for loss.
The need for a pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat was obvious when the Bears signed Odeyingbo, and it was apparent when he left. Who knows how his 2025 season would have ended, but having another rusher available would have made a significant impact.
With Chicago wrapping their offseason program ahead of training camp next month, Odeyingbo, seven months removed from the Achilles injury, has already been on the practice field, and he seems like a motivated Dayo.
The motivated mindset for Odeyingbo has already struck a positive light in Halas Hall, as coaches are impressed to see Odeyingbo ahead of schedule and out on the field before training camp.
“This is really a bonus for us," Johnson said. "We weren’t quite sure when we started the offseason program that we would get him for any length of time, but the fact that he’s on the field, he wants to be out there. It’s just another step forward in terms of him gaining confidence again and how he’s moving.
“He’s done a great job a great job of being attentive in meetings, and so I know he was really itching to get back out there with his teammates, and so it’s a step in the right direction for sure."
