Bears 2026 training camp preview: Help needed at defensive tackle

By admin — In News — July 16, 2026

   ​Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest this month.Rookies and quarterbacks are set to report to Halas Hall on July 25 with veterans following on July 28. But before that, we’re unveiling our Bears 2026 training camp position previews, where we’re breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe position that has the most question marks around it is defensive tackle, where there are two veterans at the top and not much else behind them except young players looking for a breakthrough opportunity. Let’s take a look at the Bears’ defensive tackles heading into training camp:1 / 19Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with head coach Ben Johnson during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images(Kamil Krzaczynski, Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images)The most consistent producer at the defensive tackle position, Gervon Dexter should be seen as the team’s No. 1 player at defensive tackle, but he also hasn’t yet fully broken through as one of the higher-respected players at his position. His best trait comes as a pass rusher, where he was second on the team in sacks last season with 6.0, just four behind Montez Sweat on the team. Dexter needs to take the next step to improve his run defense, which could happen in the second year under Dennis Allen’s defense.A big splash signing in free agency prior to the 2025 season, Grady Jarrett actually graded out on the PFF scale higher than Dexter last season, but by only three spots in the rankings. Jarrett was not the player that he or the Bears had expected in 2025, where he also struggled in run defense, similar to how Dexter did. Jarrett is most certainly a veteran locker room leader, but he can lead by more example on the field in his second season with Chicago, if he can be more consistent in comparison to last year.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA former third-round pick who has played with five different teams since coming into the league in 2020, Neville Gallimore brings experience and depth at a position where it is severely needed. Gallimore signed a two-year, $12 million deal this offseason to join Chicago and should be part of the regular rotation behind Jarrett, potentially even pushing him for more playing time depending on how he can fit in with this defense.Jordan van den Berg is not only one of the most intriguing players at the defensive tackle spot for this Bears team, but he may one of the most intriguing players on the entire roster. Praised for his athleticism coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft, van den Berg, has the most potential of the position group if he can find himself playing time opportunities. Van den Berg was a late bloomer in college, but was one of the players picked late in the draft that was consider  

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