Bears $48 Million Addition Already Labeled Chicago’s ‘Biggest Bust’

When the Chicago Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million deal in March, some questioned whether the former Indianapolis Colts edge rusher was worth the investment.

When looking solely at his numbers, it’s a fair thing to wonder. He’s coming off a three-sack campaign last year, and he hasn’t amassed more than 8.0 sacks in any of his four seasons in the league. Heading into 2025, the Bears are hoping Odeyingbo will flourish opposite Montez Sweat in new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report doesn’t see that happening. Knox listed one player from all 32 teams he believes will be each squad’s respective “biggest bust.” For the Bears, he chose Odeyingbo.

“Odeyingbo was a good rotational player for three seasons with the Colts before emerging as a starter last year. However, expectations for him are set to jump after he signed a three-year, $48 million deal with the Chicago Bears,” Knox wrote on July 10, adding:

“Unfortunately, Odeyingbo will have a difficult time living up to those higher expectations. Though a starting-caliber end, he’s unlikely to provide a massive boost to Chicago’s sack production. The 25-year-old had just three sacks, seven tackles for loss and 19 QB pressures in 17 games last season.”

Odeyingbo Hasn’t Lit the World on Fire Stats-Wise

GettySome are predicting DE Dayo Odeyingbo will be the biggest bust for the Chicago Bears when all is said and done in 2025.

Odeyingbo entered the NFL with promise as a second-round pick (No. 54 overall) by the Colts in 2021, despite suffering an Achilles injury pre-draft. After being activated mid‑season, Odeyingbo played in 10 games as a rookie, finishing with six tackles, 0.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Over his four seasons in Indy, he played in 61 games (19 starts) and amassed 106 total tackles, 16.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

The 2023 campaign marked Odeyingbo’s best year: operating primarily as a rotational edge, he had career highs with 8.0 sacks, 38 tackles, 17 QB hits, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His 2024 season cemented his role as a full time starter, playing 746 snaps, which ranked 22nd out of 211 qualifying edges, per PFF.

His unique combination of length (35¼‑inch arms), explosiveness and versatility (he has lined up inside on occasion) make him an intriguing addition, though. The 6-foot-6, 286-pound DE has both the height and weight Allen favors in his DEs, so it’ll be interesting to see how he fares in a new scheme.

It’s Too Early to Write Dayo Odeyingbo Off as A Bust for the Chicago Bears

Chicago’s new D‑line additions—including veteran Grady Jarrett and rookie Shemar Turner— should help his cause. Jarrett, Turner, veteran Andrew Billings and Gervon Dexter will give the defense a big boost on the interior, which in turn should help free up Sweat and Odeyingbo more.

If he stays healthy, Odeyingbo could wind up being a high-floor, potentially high-ceiling signing in Allen’s scheme—one capable of creating splash plays. If he harnesses his physical tools, it’s not unreasonable to think the Bears could get a career year from him in 2025.

It’s fair to doubt him due to his lack of gaudy stats, but writing off Odeyingbo as a potential bust before he’s played a snap in a Bears uniform is more than a tad shortsighted. He’s still young — he turns 26 in September — and he’s positioned to thrive in ways he couldn’t in Indianapolis.

The Bears say they see loads of untapped potential in Odeyingbo’s game. If Allen — who is widely regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL — can help extract it, they’ll be proving the doubters wrong already.