The Chicago Bears have been doing their homework this week on offensive and defensive linemen during practices at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
The Bears gave up a league-high 68 sacks in 2024. On defense, Chicago struggled to generate much of a pass rush and failed to stop the run. The Bears generated 40 sacks, but blitzes helped to force most of that pressure.
New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said Thursday that he plans to be aggressive and needs weapons to rush the opposing team’s passer.
The Chicago Bears met with Princely Umanmielen
One potential draft pick could be at the Senior Bowl this week. Ole Miss defensive end Princely Umanmielen has been a standout during practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. The six-foot-five, 255-pound pass rusher has shown great technique in getting past offensive tackles this week.
Umanmielen confirmed to CCS that he met with the Bears in Mobile. The native of Manor, Texas, said his meeting with Chicago went well.
Umanmielen prefers to play defensive end but said he believes he has the versatility to play defensive tackle in certain packages. (The Bears used DeMarcus Walker in that role in former head coach Matt Eberflus’ system.)
Getting off the ball
One skill set Umanmielen has been working on at the Senior Bowl is how to explode off the ball following the snap.
“I learned this week is the best way to attack every play is get off, man,” Umanmielen said. “Like if you get off the ball, then great things will happen for you.”
Umanmielen played at Florida from 2020-2023 before transferring to Ole Miss in 2024. At 22, he’s earned All-SEC honors in 2023 (second-team) and 2024 (first-team).
The senior had a productive season for the Rebels, recording 37 total tackles, 10.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He recorded 25.5 sacks in his college career, 17.5 of those came in his last two seasons.
Per 247Sports, Umanmielen was a four-star athlete out of Manor High School for the class of 2020.
Bleacher Report projects Umanmielen as a second-round pick.
