The Chicago Bears were one of the worst teams in the NFL when it came to pressuring the quarterback last season, but they could look for an answer with the Illinois football program.
The Monsters of the Midway certainly did not live up to their name during the 2025 season, recording the fifth-lowest sack total in the league at 35 sacks, and ranking No. 24 in pressures with 126.
It was a surprisingly down year for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in his first year with the team, especially with standout defenders like Montez Sweat and Grady Jarrett on the roster. But for some reason, they just couldn't get the job done, and the defense suffered because of it.
Starting on April 23, the Bears have a chance to right this ship by drafting one of the many stout edge rushers in this year's NFL Draft, Illinois football standout Gabe Jacas.
Gabe Jacas with 2 sacks last night. My #9 edge rusher in the 2026 draft in a very good group for the 2026 NFL draft pic.twitter.com/C93zBF14Bc
— Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) August 30, 2025
Jacas, a product of Port St. Lucie, Florida, was named to the All-Big Ten team in three of his four seasons with the Illini. In 50 games, the team's top edge rusher recorded 183 total tackles to go along with 27 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
As of writing this, Gabe is ranked as the No. 9 overall edge rusher in the draft according to CBS Sports, with Miami's Ruben Bain Jr. and Ohio State's Arvell Reese leading the way. Jacas is currently projected as a day two pick in this year's draft, with some analysts having him as high as a mid-to-late second round selection.
Gabe Jacas could give the Chicago Bears the intensity they were looking for last season
The Bears are in need of a quality piece with a high motor to add to their rotation off the edge, and Jacas could be the perfect early-round option to get them there.
Jacas, according to his scouting report on CBS Sports, has an "effective bull rush capable of walking blockers back into the quarterback." His strength and heavy hands make him an absolute brute, and someone who could overpower tackles at a moment's notice.
The problem, however, is that he lacks a pass-rush arsenal that can help him maneuver some of the more elite blockers in the NFL. This is something that can be learned with proper development and conditioning, but it will certainly be a detriment in his early years against better competition.
Jacas would certainly excel in Chicago's system, especially with Allen at the helm. But it would be a surprise if he is selected with Chicago's No. 25 overall pick.
If anything, unless a trade is made, Jacas is more suited to go with pick No. 60 on the high end or pick No. 89 on the low end. If another team beats the Bears to the punch, Jacas should still enjoy a rather fruitful career wherever he goes.
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