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Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made his feelings clear on what he expects from the returning defensive players.
The Chicago Bears’ defense is slowly getting healthier, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made his expectations clear for the group’s returning players ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Washington Commanders.
After several weeks of injury setbacks, linebacker T.J. Edwards, cornerback Kyler Gordon, and defensive end Austin Booker are each set to rejoin the Bears’ defense. Allen emphasized that their return isn’t just about filling spots, it’s about reestablishing the tone and consistency the Bears’ defense has been missing.
T.J. Edwards and Kyler Gordon: Restoring Stability and Versatility
GettyChicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards #53 and cornerback Kyler Gordon #6.
When Dennis Allen took over Chicago’s defense this offseason, one of his top priorities was building cohesion. That task has been challenging with several key defenders sidelined early on, including two of the team’s most impactful players from the previous season.
Edwards, who hasn’t played a snap this season with a hamstring injury, returned to full participation in practice this week. His presence alone could help restore stability to a defense that’s lacked rhythm. Allen spoke highly of T.J. Edwards’ intelligence and leadership, calling him “a smart, tough player” who brings both productivity and reliability to the field.
“T.J. is a smart, tough player,” Allen said. “He’s been very productive here. Where we’ve been on defense, when you have a lot of moving parts, it makes it a little bit challenging. So hopefully we can get guys back, stay healthy and develop a little continuity in the group.”
Continuity is exactly what the Bears need. Edwards is the heart of the Bears’ defense, and his ability to command the middle of the field allows Allen to run more complex looks and frees up others to play with more freedom.
The same goes for Kyler Gordon, whose return could spark new creativity in the secondary. It’s the exact case as Edwards, missing the first four games of the season with a hamstring injury, and intends to play on Monday.
Allen’s enthusiasm for Gordon was evident. “I said this when I first got there, that I was really excited about working with that player. He’s an impact-type player, in particular inside in the slot, some different things we can do with him from a coverage aspect. He’s a dynamic player, so hopefully we will have him back out there and he can impact the game.”
Austin Booker: A Young Pass-Rushing X-Factor
GettyQuinn Ewers #14 of the Miami Dolphins is chased by Austin Booker #94 of the Chicago Bears.
Austin Booker had a standout preseason, leading the NFL with four sacks, and was slated to have a breakout start to the 2025 season before suffering a knee injury. Booker is officially listed as questionable for Monday’s game, but Dennis Allen is optimistic about what the youngster can add to a pass rush that’s struggled to generate consistent pressure.
“Now we’ve just got to get him to a healthy enough spot where he can get out there and play games, and then we’ll be able to see what he can do. I’ve seen signs that say he can impact the game, in particular from a pass rush standpoint.”
The Bears have leaned heavily on Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo for quarterback pressure, and Booker’s return could finally provide a much-needed boost.
For Allen, the message to his returning players is simple: bring the impact, bring the leadership, and help the defense find its true identity. If they can do that, the Bears might finally start to look like the cohesive, aggressive defense fans expect to see under Allen.
Isaac Zuniga is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders. He also covers the Chicago Bears for LastWordOnSports.com. More about Isaac Zuniga
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