Chicago Bears Add DT Neville Gallimore: Grading the 2-Year, $12M Deal

The Chicago Bears continued reshaping their defensive front by agreeing to a two-year, $12 million contract with defensive tackle Neville Gallimore.

The move, reported by The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs, gives Chicago another body on the interior defensive line as the team prepares for the 2026 season.

But how good a move is it?

Let’s break it down.

What Neville Gallimore Brings to the Bears

Gallimore arrives after a productive 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he played in 17 games with eight starts. He finished the year with 38 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and four tackles for loss, showing he can contribute both against the run and as a rotational pass rusher.

Originally drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, Gallimore has carved out a career as a rotational defensive tackle with flashes of interior disruption.

For Chicago, the signing provides another piece along the defensive line alongside players such as Gervon Dexter Sr. and Montez Sweat.

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Given the Bears’ emphasis on improving the defensive front this offseason, Gallimore offers both depth and experience.

Why the Neville Gallimore Signing Makes Sense

The Bears needed additional depth on the interior defensive line.

Chicago struggled to stop the run in 2025, and the pass rush was, at times, non-existent. Adding Gallimore gives defensive coaches another rotation option who can play meaningful snaps without requiring a massive financial commitment.

At $6 million per year, the contract also falls squarely in the middle tier for rotational defensive tackles, a reasonable price for a player who has proven he can contribute in multiple roles.

In other words, the Bears didn’t overspend, but they added a player capable of helping the defensive line rotation.

The Risk Factor for the Bears Adding Neville Gallimore

Signing Neville Gallimore isn't without risk for the Chicago Bears.

Gallimore has never developed into a consistent full-time starter during his career. While he has shown flashes of interior disruption, his production has been that of a rotational lineman rather than a difference-maker at defensive tackle.

That means the Bears still have work to do along their defensive line.

However, because the contract is relatively modest, the risk remains limited.

Final Grade: C+

For the Bears, the Gallimore signing checks several boxes.

It strengthens the defensive line rotation, provides veteran depth, and comes at a manageable cost. While it isn’t a headline-grabbing move, it’s the type of signing good teams make to quietly improve roster depth.

Gallimore may not transform the Bears’ defense on his own, but he gives Chicago another reliable piece in the trenches, and that makes the move a solid one for Ryan Poles and the front office.