CHICAGO – The Bears are making moves to strengthen their defensive line after a string of injuries. They’ve traded for Cleveland Browns defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This comes after starting edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles, ending his season.
The Bears shipped a sixth-round pick for 2026 to the Browns in exchange for Tryon-Shoyinka and a seventh-round pick. After being drafted 32nd overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, he became a free agent when the Bucs declined to pick up his fifth-year option. This offseason, he signed a one-year deal worth $4.75 million with the Browns.
At 26, Tryon-Shoyinka found it tough to secure a position with the Browns, given the strength of their defensive line featuring stars like Myles Garrett. He managed to log 31 defensive snaps, recording nine tackles and one quarterback hit over eight games. He also contributed on special teams.
In Chicago, he’ll slot into a rotation to fill Odeyingbo’s spot. Bears edge rusher Austin Booker made his season debut after missing the first seven games due to injury. He recorded a sack and two tackles in his return against the Bengals. With Montez Sweat, Booker, Tryon-Shoyinka, and Daniel Hardy, the Bears now have three healthy defensive ends.
Bears coach Ben Johnson commented on the team’s ups and downs this season. He mentioned the challenge of losing key players while trying to build a solid roster. “It’s wild,” he said. “You feel like you take strides in some areas but then hit setbacks in others.”
In addition to injuries, Chicago’s pass defense has struggled, ranking 25th in the league, allowing 237.6 yards per game. They also sit at 18th in sack percentage at 6.59%, showing a need for stronger performance moving forward.
Tryon-Shoyinka brings experience, having recorded 15 sacks during his time in Tampa Bay. With 74 games and 45 starts under his belt, he adds depth to a unit that has not performed as expected this season. The Bears invested heavily in their defensive line this year, giving Odeyingbo a three-year, $48 million contract, guaranteeing $32 million. However, injuries have hindered their performance, proving to be a tough challenge for the team to navigate.
As the NFL season continues, it will be crucial for the Bears to adapt and overcome these setbacks. Each game presents an opportunity to strengthen their performance and aim for improvement.
