Bears betting big on Jordan van den Berg

The Chicago Bears are putting significant faith in rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg as they reshape their defensive front ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

Chicago selected van den Berg in the sixth round with the No. 213 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He entered the league as a developmental prospect, but his combination of size, athletic ability and encouraging preseason work has quickly made him one of the more interesting young players on the Bears’ defense.

That importance has increased following Chicago’s decision to trade defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Atlanta Falcons. The move creates an opportunity for van den Berg to earn meaningful snaps much sooner than many expected when he was drafted.

Why the Bears Are Betting on Jordan van den Berg

Van den Berg was not one of Chicago’s highest draft picks, but the Bears clearly saw qualities worth developing.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive tackle finished his college career at Georgia Tech after previous stops at Penn State and Iowa Western. During two seasons at Georgia Tech, he recorded 67 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four sacks while earning first-team All-ACC honors in 2025.

Chicago was interested enough in van den Berg to trade up into the sixth round to select him rather than risk losing him before its later selections.

His physical traits are a major part of the appeal. Van den Berg entered the NFL as an unusually athletic defensive tackle with the strength and movement ability needed to disrupt plays inside.

What Jordan van den Berg Brings to Chicago

Van den Berg’s game is built around power, effort and athleticism.

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen praised the rookie’s movement skills, toughness and football character after the draft while also acknowledging that there were areas of his game that still needed development.

That combination explains why Chicago may be willing to give him an opportunity early.

He does not need to immediately become a finished NFL defensive tackle. The Bears need him to use his strength and explosiveness effectively while continuing to improve his technique.

His preseason provided the organization with an early look at what he could offer. Official Bears statistics show van den Berg recorded four tackles across three preseason games.

Those numbers alone do not define his performance, but earning a place on Chicago’s initial 53-man roster was an important first step.

How Jordan van den Berg Fits the Bears’ Defensive Line

The situation changed considerably when Chicago traded Dexter.

Dexter had been one of the team’s established interior defensive linemen, so moving him created both an opening and a question: who will replace those snaps?

Van den Berg is now positioned to be part of the answer.

The rookie offers Chicago a younger and less expensive option with considerable developmental upside. But relying more heavily on a sixth-round rookie also comes with uncertainty.

NFL defensive tackles face a significant adjustment from college football. Van den Berg will need to deal with stronger offensive linemen, faster blocking schemes and more technically advanced opponents.

What His Development Could Mean for the 2026 Season

If van den Berg develops quickly, Chicago’s decision could become one of the more interesting roster moves of the season.

A productive rookie defensive tackle selected late in the draft would give the Bears a valuable player on a rookie contract while providing additional flexibility for future roster construction.

There is also an opportunity for van den Berg to establish himself as more than a rotational player.

His college production supports that possibility. He played 26 games with 20 starts during his two seasons at Georgia Tech and steadily developed into an All-ACC performer.

However, expectations should remain reasonable.

Van den Berg is still a rookie, and Chicago will likely evaluate him based on consistent improvement rather than expecting immediate dominance.

Why This Move Matters for the Bears

The Bears’ decision to move on from Dexter puts greater responsibility on the remaining defensive tackles, and van den Berg now has an opportunity that few sixth-round rookies receive this early.

Chicago is effectively betting that his athletic upside can translate into meaningful NFL production.

That makes him an important player to watch as the 2026 season begins.

If van den Berg handles the increased role and continues developing, the Bears may have found significant value late in the draft. If he struggles, Chicago’s lack of proven depth along the defensive interior could become a concern.

Either way, the opportunity is now there.

Jordan van den Berg entered the NFL as an intriguing late-round prospect. Just a few months later, he has a chance to become an important part of the Chicago Bears’ defensive line.