One of the bigger questions facing the Chicago Bears getting closer to the 2026 season, is defensive line depth. Grady Jarrett was supposed to be the answer, but has failed to live up to expectations with underwhelming production and injuries marring what the veteran's first season with the franchise. However, overlooked in the team's offseason moves was a lineman with a chance to fix this with former Atlanta Falcons defender Kentavius Street getting added to the defensive interior signing in free agency.
Street is coming off a 2025 season where he had only a pair of sacks and six pressures in 109 pass-rushing snaps. This was due to Atlanta's impressive depth at the position, which didn't allow Street to show his full capability. It is a problem the Bears are in a perfect position to remedy, with reason to believe the defender can take a leap in the defense of Dennis Allen.
For Street, you're also going to benefit from being added to a defense that needs rotational options. The opportunity is there, and the level of physicality that the defender presents is going to be a welcome addition that could result in a leap in production.
Street is 30 and has spent time with Atlanta and the San Francisco 49ers in what has primarily been a reserve role. One that has a chance to grow to a level the veteran has rarely been offered throughout his career. This is due to a lack of depth as well as the clear fit that Street's physicality offers in the middle of the Chicago defense.
It makes sense that the addition has been overlooked, as signing a rotational defender is rarely an exciting decision. While it doesn't grab headlines, the fact hasn't changed that it is interior lines and quarterbacks that win games.
Having Street bolsters the team's current rotational options and serves as a needed boost if Jarrett doesn't live up to expectations. All of this adds up to explain why the signing has been overlooked and why Street will step into a surprisingly important role.
The veteran producing 4-5 sacks and having a consistent impact plugging up the run on the inside is a fair expectation. This is due to Allen's aggressive defensive playcalling and Street being such an ideal fit. No question, Chicago's offseason was filled with quiet wins that will show up in training camp and leading into the 2026 season.
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This article was originally published on www.dawindycity.com as Bears' overlooked free agent signing could solve a major defensive concern .
