New Scheme, New Swagger: How Dennis Allen Is rebuilding the Bears D

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 20 hours ago

CHICAGO - Since Dennis Allen became the new defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears, he has brought a certain presence and energy to the Bears locker room that has permeated throughout the entire defensive staff and the players.

“Just his whole demeanor, you know what I mean? His nasty. We're going to dominate, that’s what it is, and you feel that when he talks. You feel that the way that he coaches,” linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. “You feel that the way that we practice out there and as a competitor, that just make you like, ‘Yeah, let’s do this’ (because) that’s what we want. That’s what we want to be. That’s our identity. Nothing less. That’s what we pride ourselves on. So, it’s a long ways away. That’s what training camp is for, to master the playbook, and that’s what (our) plan is right now.”

Chicago used the 2025 NFL Draft to add depth to various positions, including linebacker.

They drafted linebacker Ruben Hyppolite in the fourth round.

While he still has a lot to learn, Edmunds has noticed how dedicated he is to learning the defense.

“He’s locked in each and every day. You (can) tell that he really (loves) football, just the way that he (goes) about his business and (goes) about just taking care of his body, obviously when he’s in here, but just talking to him outside of football. He (is a) real chill, laidback dude and you (can) tell that he (loves) football man and when he (gets) out there on the field, you can feel him - his speed, his tenacity, how aggressive he is. You want to see that from a young guy.”

In addition to Edmunds being a key part of Allen’s defense this season, edge rusher Montez Sweat will also be expected to take on a major role. Last season was a disappointing season for him as he only had 5.5 sacks and 32 tackles.

However, Sweat sees this defensive scheme as an excellent opportunity to create one-on-one matchups.

“It’s a great defensive scheme. Everybody is still honing in on learning it, but it’s a great defensive scheme … I think just create one-on-ones for the times that we need them and just stopping the run,” Sweat said. “It’s a complex scheme. I think it keeps you on your toes. But, it challenges us as a defense to hone in on our communication and just flourish in that way.”

Despite only having 5.5 sacks last year, he led the Bears in sacks. This speaks volumes about how weak Chicago’s pass rush was as a whole.

Allen’s defenses are known for being violent and destructive in the backfield, and if that is going to happen this year, Sweat is going to have to take the lead.

“It’s a collective job as a group, but I want to be the guy,” Sweat said. “I learned the defense over the summer and now we’re going back over it again now in training camp. So, it’s some similarities and some things that I brought with him from OTAs in the summer camp that I can bring with me to training camp and hone in on.”

Sweat will have a good opportunity to prove himself and how he can succeed in this scheme when the Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings in the season opener on Mon. Sept. 8 (7:15 p.m. / ABC) since Minnesota will most likely be starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has never played in an NFL regular season game.