The Chicago Bears, at least on paper, have massively improved their roster entering the 2025 campaign. However, one clear area the team can still address is their pass rush.
The Bears still have Montez Sweat and they signed Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million contract. However, behind them is unheralded players such as Daniel Hardy, Dominique Robinson and Austin Booker. Coming off a season with a middling 40 sacks and Sweat leading the way with just 5.5, Chicago is looking to bring much more chaos to opposing team’s backfields.
New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will play a massive role in shaping the Bears’ new defense. If Chicago decides to give him some extra help in free agency, Moe Moton of Bleacher Reports argues the team should target edge rusher Tanoh Kpassagnon.
“The Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million contract,” Moton wrote. “He’ll line up opposite Montez Sweat on the edge. Austin Booker has a chance to take on the third-most snaps at defensive end, but he’s unproven, going into his second term after playing 27 percent of Chicago’s defensive snaps last year.”
“While with the New Orleans Saints, Kpassagnon played in Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense between 2021 and 2024,” Moton concluded. “He would provide quality depth as a plug-and-play rotational end.”
How Tanoh Kpassagnon impacts Chicago Bears
Kpassagnon has played under Allen on the New Orleans Saints every season since 2021. Injuries played a massive toll in his ability to contribute. An Achilles tear limited to Kpassagnon to just three games in 2024. However, when on the field, the pass rusher has shown flashes of brilliance.
He matched his career-high with four sacks in 2021. Then in 2023, Kpassagnon set a new-career high with three sacks in one game. He put up 9.5 sacks total during his four years with New Orleans and 24 quarterback hits.
Prior to his Saints tenure, Kpassagnon began his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs as a second-round pick in 2017. He was a major contributor in 2020, starting a career-high 15 games. Overall, Kpassagnon registered seven sacks and 18 quarterbacks, winning a Super Bowl title with Kansas City.
Throughout his NFL career, the edge rusher has been put into rotational situations. Of his 104 appearances, only 34 are starts. However, that’s exactly what Chicago is looking for. They want Odeyingbo to start and thrive after doling out all that cash. But having an experience backup behind both him and Sweat make the Bears more dynamic and consistent.
If there’s one coach who knows how to get the most out of Kpassagnon, it’s Allen. He and the entire team first want to see what they already have on the roster, and if additions are really necessary. But if the pass rush continues being a problem throughout the offseason, the Bears could turn to outside help.
Kpassagnon may not be the hottest name on the market, but he fits what the Bears are trying to build. His connection to Allen and why that makes him a strong fit can’t be overstated. Overall, when it comes to free agent pass rushers, Kpassagnon could be on the short list if Chicago looks to make a move.
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