Johnson tallied 20 total tackles (11 solo), including 2.0 sacks, across nine regular-season games in 2025.

Johnson, a 2024 sixth-round pick from Ole Miss, set career highs in total tackles and sacks while logging 207 defensive snaps during his second NFL season. He missed the first eight games of Cincinnati's 2025 campaign but came on strong late in the year, with all of his sacks coming over the final two weeks of the regular season. Under contract through 2027, Johnson is expected to remain one of the Bengals' top reserve defensive ends next season.

Slaton recorded 52 total tackles (19 solo), including 3.0 sacks, across 17 regular-season games in 2025.

Slaton continued his iron-man streak this season, having now played five years in the NFL without missing a regular-season game. In his first year with the Bengals, the Florida product set career highs in total tackles and sacks while operating as one of the team's top interior defensive linemen. Entering the second season of his two-year, $14.1 million deal signed last offseason, Slaton is expected to remain an integral part of Cincinnati's defense in 2026.

Gordon recorded seven total tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, across three regular-season games in 2025.

Despite missing 14 regular-season games this season due to hamstring, groin and calf injuries, Gordon returned for the Bears' two playoff games and made an immediate impact. He tallied 10 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and two passes defensed, helping Chicago reach the divisional round for the first time since 2010. Having signed a three-year, $40 million extension with the Bears last April, Gordon is expected to remain the team's top slot corner during the 2026 campaign.

Jarrett tallied 39 total tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and three passes defensed across 14 regular-season games in 2025.

Despite recording fewer total tackles (53 to 39) and sacks (2.5 to 1.5) than he did with the Falcons in 2024, Jarrett was an integral part of Chicago's defensive line. After a slow start, he finished the season strong, recording 23 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble over the Bears' final six games (including playoffs). Having signed a three-year, $42.75 million deal with Chicago last offseason, Jarrett is expected to remain one of the team's top interior defensive linemen during the 2026 season.

McCloud (groin) recorded 27 total tackles (18 solo) and two passes defensed over 15 regular-season games in 2025.

The 27-year-old from Notre Dame sustained a groin injury in Chicago's wild-card win over the Packers that held him out of the divisional-round loss to the Rams. McCloud emerged as one of the Bears' top reserve corners, making four starts while filling in for the injured Kyler Gordon during the regular season. McCloud played 431 defensive snaps this season after totaling just 214 defensive snaps across 15 appearances with the Giants and 49ers in 2024. He signed a one-year deal with the Bears in March of last year, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason. McCloud is expected to find work as a reserve corner and special-teams contributor ahead of the 2026 season.

Jackson tallied 43 total tackles (18 solo), including 1.0 sack, and three passes defensed, including one interception, across 16 regular-season games in 2025.

Prior to his 2025 campaign with the Bears, Jackson was primarily a special-teamer, recording just 26 total tackles across 27 regular-season games with the Saints from 2023 to 2024. While he remained a key special-teams contributor in Chicago (273 special-teams snaps), the 27-year-old started the first four games of his career and logged a personal-best 259 defensive snaps. Set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, Jackson likely will find work as a reserve outside linebacker while continuing to contribute on special teams.

Stevenson recorded 49 total tackles (36 solo), 10 passes defensed, including one interception, and two forced fumbles over 13 regular-season games in 2025.

The third-year pro from Miami (Fla.) saw declines in several statistical categories compared to his 2024 campaign, including total tackles (78 to 49), passes defensed (12 to 10) and interceptions (two to one) while playing fewer defensive snaps (786 to 584). Despite this drop in production, Stevenson remained an important part of the Bears secondary, finishing with the second-most passes defensed on the team. Under contract through the 2026 season, the 25-year-old is expected to remain a key part of Chicago's defense next year.

Gardner-Johnson totaled 66 tackles (46 solo), including 3.0 sacks, two interceptions and four passes defended across 13 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.

Gardner-Johnson started the season with the Texans but was released after struggling across the first three games. The 28-year-old ended up signing with Chicago in late October, where he was much more productive, racking up a career-high 3.0 sacks across just 10 outings. Gardner-Johnson is set to become a free agent this offseason and could join his fifth team in the past four seasons.

Cherelus posted 32 tackles (14 solo) and a pass defended across 14 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.

Cherelus racked up a career-high 32 tackles despite missing three games due to injuries. The 26-year-old was most productive toward the end of the season after taking over as one of the Panthers' starting inside linebackers in December following Trevin Wallace's placement on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Cherelus is now set to become a free agent this offseason.

Wharton (hamstring) totaled 36 tackles (11 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and a pass defended across nine regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.

Wharton had one of his most productive seasons in 2025, as he tallied a career-high 36 points despite missing eight games, including the final four contests of the regular season due to a hamstring injury. While the 27-year-old managed to suit up for the wild-card loss to the Rams, he aggravated the injury during the game and will likely begin the offseason focused on getting healthy.