Von Miller Emerges as Logical Free Agent Target for Bears
With pass rush still a need, Von Miller is being viewed as a potential fit for the Bears entering the 2026 season.
The Chicago Bears did not solve their pass-rush problem in free agency, and that reality keeps the same conversation about their biggest team need coming up.
If general manager Ryan Poles wants to level up the pass rush before the 2026 NFL Draft without trading away draft capital or handing out a top-of-the-market contract, one veteran free agent could fit the bill.
Von Miller.
In a recent breakdown of one remaining free agent for every team to pursue, the Bears were linked to Miller as a pass-rush solution.
Why the Bears Still Need Edge Help
Chicago finished 2025 with 35 sacks, tied for 28th in the NFL. Montez Sweat led the team with 10 sacks, but there was not enough consistent pressure coming from the rest of the defensive front.
Gervon Dexter had a nice year (six sacks), but his pressure came from the interior. The Bears need a complement to Sweat on the edge who can force protection away from their top pass rusher.
The Bears explored bigger swings earlier in the offseason, including interest in Maxx Crosby. That alone tells you how the front office views this roster and why it shouldn't be ruled out that a veteran addition remains a possibility.
Why Von Miller Fits the Chicago Bears
Miller is not the same player he was earlier in his career. That version of him made eight Pro Bowls and earned MVP honors in Super Bowl 50.
But the version of Miller that showed up last season still produced.
In 2025, he recorded nine sacks in just 420 snaps, a level of efficiency that stands out for a rotational edge rusher. That is exactly the type of role Chicago needs to fill.
They are not looking for a 1,000-snap player. Instead, the Bears need someone who can:
- Win in passing situations
- Take pressure off Sweat
- Close out games when the offense has a lead
Miller still checks those boxes.
The Bears' Salary Cap Reality Points to a Veteran
The Chicago Bears have the least amount of salary cap space in the NFL right now. That limits their options. Big-ticket signings are difficult. Trading for a player with a massive contract is even harder.
However, signing a veteran like Miller works.
He would not command the same type of deal as younger edge rushers, and he is at a stage of his career when joining a competitive team should matter more than anything.
That alignment works in Chicago’s favor.
What Von Miller Would Add to the Bears' Defense
There is also a leadership element that Von Miller would bring to the Chicago Bears' locker room.
Miller has played in big games. He has closed out playoff runs. He understands how to prepare for the moments that define a season.
For a defense still finding consistency off the edge, that experience matters.
And on the field, even in a reduced role, his presence would change how offenses approach the Bears and the rest of the defenders on the field. Miller would be a true force multiplier.
The Bears' Bottom Line
The Bears don't need a perfect solution at edge rusher right now. They just need a functional one.
Miller is not a long-term answer. That's what the 2026 NFL draft is for. But as a short-term addition who can still get to the quarterback and help stabilize the rotation, the fit makes sense.
He'd also be a fantastic mentor for a highly drafted rookie.
If the Bears play this right, they do not have to choose between now and the future. A short-term addition like Von Miller can help bridge the gap, give them situational pass-rush juice right away, and set the standard for whatever young edge rusher they bring in next.
