The start of Chicago Bears training camp is nearly here, and it won't be long until veterans and rookies alike take the field for the final stretch of the offseason as they get ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. The Bears will be looking to build on their success from 2025 and repeat as NFC North champions, and to do so, they will need contributors from up and down the roster.
They got plenty of help from unsuspecting players last season, like cornerback Nahshon Wright and linebacker D'Marco Jackson. Both players seemingly came out of nowhere to become staples on defense, and it all started in training camp. This year, we're taking a look at possible sleepers at every position on defense who could make a big impact at some point. Here is our list of sleepers on defense:
Shemar Turner never really got a chance to get going last year as a rookie due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for most of training camp, and he only played in a handful of games before suffering a torn ACL—all while transitioning from a defensive tackle to an end. Turner is still working his way back from that injury, but with a full training camp working on the outside, he's someone who could surprise. I wasn't enamored with Turner as a defensive tackle, but his skillset may work better at defensive end. And there's no denying his high motor, which will cause a game-changing play at some point during the season.
The Bears didn't make a splash at defensive tackle like many believed they could and instead focused on adding depth, like Neville Gallimore. The veteran is coming off a career season with the Indianapolis Colts , and though he isn't a great run defender, Gallimore has some pop when it comes to rushing the passer. He had four sacks in 2025 and finished the year with a PFF grade of 70.2. The Bears could use more pressure from the inside, and Gallimore is someone capable of stepping up at times. He won't steal anyone's job, but his skillset will be useful for the Bears.
Months from now, we could be talking about Keyshaun Elliott being the hero of a game thanks to a spot start, like we did with D'Marco Jackson in 2025. Elliott was a solid selection for the Bears in the fifth round out of Arizona State. He's a dependable tackler and can play downhill well. Linebacker was a position that dealt with numerous injuries in 2025, and there are still question marks going into 2026 with players like TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell. Elliott has the chance to climb the depth chart, and I believe he will.
Remember Terell Smith? The 2023 sixth-round pick had a solid couple of years as a depth player and even became a pseudo-starter in 2024, splitting time with Tyrique Stevenson. Unfortunately, Smith suffered a serious knee injury last preseason and missed all of 2025. With nearly a full year to recover, however, Smith looks back to normal based on his workout videos and appears to be ready for training camp. Though he's better in a zone scheme, Smith is someone that shouldn't be counted out. Especially going into a contract year.
The Bears overhauled their safety room with the two biggest acquisitions of the offseason when they signed Coby Bryant and drafted Dillon Thieneman. They also added a few more players, including undrafted rookie Skyler Thomas out of Oregon State. Thomas has plenty of experience (49 games in college), which is a bonus for defensive backs, but his measurables stand out as well. At 6-foot-2, Thomas is a bigger safety that can match up well against bigger receivers and tight ends. That is a skill that is becoming more and more necessary in today's NFL. Thomas is someone who could make a name for himself this summer and become this year's camp darling.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 1 Bears sleeper to watch at every position on defense in training camp
