There are a few undeniable need areas on the Chicago Bears roster that must be addressed in 2025 free agency and the NFL Draft. The offensive line tops the list, but not far behind is the pass rush, where the Bears lack a consistent edge defender who can complement Montez Sweat. As a result, general manager Ryan Poles is expected to focus part of his enormous salary budget room on a pass rusher, and in a new forecast of the Bears’ offseason plan from Bleacher Report, New York Giants edge defender Azeez Ojulari might rank high on his list of targets.
Kristopher Knox writes, “Chicago’s defense ranked 13th in points allowed but only 27th overall in 2024.” “Targeting a young, high-end pass-rusher like Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants would make sense. “Ojulari, the sixth-ranked free agent on the B/R board, would be an excellent long-term complement to 2023 trade addition Montez Sweat on the fringe of Chicago. Ojulari had six sacks in 11 games with five starts for the Giants in 2024, and he won’t be 25 until June.
Azeez Olujari provides the vigor that the Bears’ defense lacks. Ojulari hasn’t had the sack numbers that would indicate a high-end pass rusher, but that’s not completely his fault. His four seasons in the league have been spent on a Giants squad that has consistently been behind the scoreboard for the majority of his career games. — translated, less pass-rush opportunities.
In 2021, Ojulari had his best season as a rookie, appearing in all 17 games (13 starts) and finishing with eight sacks, which remains his career high. His six sacks in just 11 games last year demonstrated his potential as a pass rusher, but his lack of availability will be a concern in free agency. Ojulari hasn’t played more than 11 games in any of the last three seasons and ended the 2024 season on injured reserve with a toe injury.
Teams competing for Ojulari’s services this offseason will bet on upside over production, and the Bears should be right in the mix. The contract figures likely be exaggerated slightly, but given Ojulari’s injury history and average production, his final price could be a bargain — if he fulfills his full potential.
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