Who’s the Bears’ Next QB Hunter? Breaking Down the Top 3 Edge Rushers Chicago Could Draft in 2026
Let’s be real — the Chicago Bears pass rush this season has been about as threatening as a fart in a hurricane. Despite Montez Sweat doing his damn best to carry the load, the team right now has a pitiful 28.6% pressure rate, good for bottom 5 in the NFL. That’s not just bad, that’s malpractice. And with Dennis Allen now running the defense, the mandate is clear: get longer, get meaner, and for the love of Halas, get someone who can bend the edge without falling on their face.
The Bears need juice off the edge like Chicagoans need deep-dish after a bender. Good news? This 2026 draft class has three high-end prospects who could be game-changers — IF the Bears play their cards right. We’re breaking down Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, and Cashius Howell. Each one offers something different. Only one truly fits what Allen wants.
Let’s dig in.
Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) – The Firecracker Without the Fuse Length
What He Brings:
Bain is a compact ball of chaos. 6’3”, 270 lbs, 32.5” arms, and the twitch of a caffeinated panther. He’s not your classic build, but damn does he pop off the tape. Fast get-off (0.78s), elite bend, violent hands — the dude knows how to work a tackle like a speed bag. He plays with a motor that’d make Brian Urlacher nod in approval.
College Resume:
- 2023: 7.5 sacks, 12.5 TFL, 92.7 PFF pass-rush grade (2nd in FBS)
- 2024-25: Slight dip due to injury, but still put up respectable numbers
- Career pressure conversion rate: 19.2% (elite)
Why He’s a Fit… and Why He’s Not:
He’s got the dog in him — no question. Bain eats up guards in tight spaces and is slippery as hell off the edge. But Dennis Allen? He’s got a hard-on for length. And Bain’s 32.5” arms ain’t gonna cut it in Allen’s world of 6’5” monsters with vines for limbs. It’s not about heart — it’s about prototype.
Draft Odds in Chicago: 5%
He’d need to slide HARD — like Laremy Tunsil-gas-mask-on-draft-night hard. Even then, unless the Bears trade up into the top ten it probably wont happen so don’t hold your breath.
David Bailey (Texas Tech) – The Riskiest Dream
What He Brings:
This guy is the edge equivalent of a Tesla Plaid — smooth, fast, and getting better every year. After bulking from 220 to 250 lbs without losing an ounce of juice, Bailey torched the Big 12 in 2025: 68 pressures, 13.5 sacks, 93.0 PFF grade (1st in FBS). His 34” arms meet Allen’s golden standard, and he’s got a true bend-and-burst combo that could terrorize NFC North QBs for a decade.
College Highlights:
- Career arc: Ascending like a rocket
- 2025: Big 12 sack leader
- Forced 7 fumbles in his career (tied 2nd FBS)
- Can drop into coverage — even logged PBUs. Rare for an edge guy.
Why He’s a Fit… and the Catch:
He checks the boxes — length, explosiveness, production, and upside. But he’s not quite 260 yet, which could give Allen pause. And while he’s dominated, it’s been against suspect Big 12 O-linemen. There’s a chance he gets swallowed by NFL-level power.
Draft Odds in Chicago: 45%
If the Bears pick around 15-20, Bailey’s might be there for the taking. If they sneak into the playoffs, Poles may have to trade up a few spots to grab him — and he might just be worth it.
Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) – The Production Problem
What He Brings:
Howell’s game is lightning in a bottle. At 6’2″ and around 250 lbs, he doesn’t look like a terror, but don’t let the size fool you. He’s all about first-step explosion and freaky bend. 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year — and the first Aggie to do it since they joined the conference. His ability to flatten to the QB and change direction like a guard is nuts.
College Numbers:
- 2023 (Bowling Green): 9.5 sacks, 12.5 TFL
- 2025 (Texas A&M): 11.5 sacks, 14.0 TFL, 6 pass breakups
- Pass Rush Win Rate: 21.8% — top-tier
- Pressure Rate: 21.5% — elite
- Run D Grade: 72.2 — respectable
Why He’s a Fit… and Why He Might Not Sniff Halas Hall:
This is the classic production-versus-prototype dilemma. Howell might be the best pure rusher in the SEC, but Dennis Allen’s going to squint hard at those 31” arms. He’s also light by Chicago’s standards. That said, his pass-rush instincts, IQ, and relentless motor are impossible to ignore. Plays with the kind of edge you want in a locker room.
Draft Odds in Chicago: 15%
If Poles decides to go off-script and bet on pure disruption over arm length, Right now, Howell is slated as a top-15 pick — his stock has gone nuclear. Unless the Bears completely sabotage the rest of their season and tumble down the standings, he’s probably out of their reach. Still, if there’s one surprise riser who could tempt Poles into an aggressive move, it’s this dude.
T.J. Parker (Clemson) – The Technician with Teeth
What He Brings:
Parker is the surgeon of this edge class — not the flashiest, but damn near surgical in how he dissects blockers. 6’3″, 265 lbs with a dense, functional build and hands that might as well be sledgehammers. He doesn’t win with freaky burst like Howell or Bailey, but he makes up for it with elite technique, violent sheds, and absurd awareness.
College Numbers:
- 2023: 5.5 sacks, 12.5 TFL, Freshman All-American
- 2024: 11 sacks, 19.5 TFL, 6 FF (Clemson record)
- 2025: 5 sacks, 9 TFL, 3 FF (modest dip)
- Career: 10 forced fumbles (led Power 4), top-10 in TFLs and sacks 2024
Why He’s a Fit… and the Catch:
He’s tailor-made for Dennis Allen’s playbook. Parker’s power base, consistent run fits, and clean technique scream “Cameron Jordan 2.0.” He might not jump off the screen with bend, but he dominates with hand usage, leverage, and a hyper-processed football brain. The red flag? His 2025 dip in sacks and some hot-and-cold motor moments. If Allen trusts the flashes, Parker could be the no-brainer pick.
Draft Odds in Chicago: 60%
If Parker’s sitting there at pick 21-26 (which I expect he will), Bears brass may not overthink it. He hits the prototype, produces, and plugs in opposite Sweat from day one. But if some team above sees what we’re seeing and reaches a few spots early, it’s back to praying Bailey doesn’t get poached or Howell freefalls.
Final Verdict
Look — Bain is the best pure pass rusher. Bailey has the highest ceiling. Howell? He’s the chaos agent with elite production but a body type that makes Allen twitch. If the Bears want juice off the edge and don’t care about arm length, Howell’s their wildcard.
But here’s the reality: if Chicago misses out on all three — Bain, Bailey, and Howell — then write it down in ink: T.J. Parker is putting on that Bears hat come April. He’s the safest bet to still be on the board, and he checks enough of Allen’s boxes to walk into Halas Hall as a day-one starter.
Want reliable, plug-and-play production with a violent streak? That’s Parker. Want to roll the dice on traits or upside? You better trade up. Either way, if the Bears want to fix their pass rush, this class gives them options. Now it’s just a matter of how bold they’re willing to be.