Chicago Bears First Move Of Free Agency Scores Badly-Need Defensive Tackle Depth
The Chicago Bears didn’t make a splash with their first official signing of 2026 free agency. Fans won’t be happy about that. However, that doesn’t general manager Ryan Poles made a bad decision. Chicago is signing veteran defensive tackle Neville Gallimore to a two-year deal worth $12 million. For all the talk about finding star power, it’s important to note that the Bears have serious depth concerns at defensive tackle. Andrew Billings is a free agent. Chris Williams is a free agent. Shemar Turner tore his ACL. Grady Jarrett is in his mid-30s. They needed another body in the worst way.
Gallimore isn’t flashy, but he brings solid value as an interior pass rusher. In a rotational role with the Indianapolis Colts last season, he had 3.5 sacks and 17 pressures on the quarterback. That should give the Bears front some added juice as they likely go hunting for additional help in the draft. Fans must unclench and see this move for what it is. The Bears wanted some stable depth and made sure to get it before other teams started thinking about it. Pretty smart business.
This is the first step in the Chicago Bears’ retooling of their D-line.
We’ve known that Dennis Allen doesn’t share Matt Eberflus’s view of how a front should be constructed. His approach has always been straightforward. He wants big, strong defensive ends who can set the edge against the run, and quick defensive tackles who can squeeze the pocket up the middle. Gallimore is a perfect fit for that style of defense. While not overly explosive, he has a strong motor, violent hands, and an understanding of how to get up the field. He should ease the burden on Jarrett and Gervon Dexter.
Make no mistake. Gallimore is not THE solution at defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears. He is only part of it. There will almost certainly be at least one more addition between now and May. Smart money says it will be in the draft. There is an intriguing crop of talent in the group, especially at nose tackle. As of now, the Bears don’t have anybody who fits that role. They could easily change that in the 2nd or 3rd round. That group, in general, should look significantly different when the dust settles two months from now.