Bears' GM Praises Shemar Turner, Putting Pressure on DT to Perform

Second-year defensive tackle Shemar Turner is in the spotlight after Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles expressed high expectations.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:05pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a Chicago Bears defensive lineman in action, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in navy blue, orange, and white, conveying the intensity and pressure of the moment.An abstract illustration captures the pressure on Bears defensive tackle Shemar Turner to prove his worth after an injury-plagued rookie season.Lake Forest Today

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has high hopes for second-year defensive tackle Shemar Turner, who struggled with injuries as a rookie. Poles believes Turner is poised to make a bigger impact in 2026, putting pressure on the former second-round pick to prove himself on the field.

Why it matters

The Bears have a need along the defensive line, and Turner represents one of their few recent high draft investments in the interior. If he can't live up to Poles' praise, the team may feel compelled to address the position early in the upcoming draft.

The details

Turner appeared in only five games as a rookie in 2025 after tearing his ACL, receiving a 34.4 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus. However, Poles believes Turner's impact would have grown if he had stayed healthy. The Bears have potential openings at defensive tackle with Gervon Dexter Sr. entering the final year of his contract and a potential out in Grady Jarrett's deal next offseason. Turner has an opportunity to establish himself as a starter, but he must prove he can be an impactful player at the NFL level.

  • In the 2025 season, Turner played around 30% of the Bears' defensive snaps before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 8.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is just two weeks away.

The players

Shemar Turner

A second-year defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears, who was a second-round pick in 2025 but struggled with injuries as a rookie.

Ryan Poles

The general manager of the Chicago Bears, who has expressed high expectations for Shemar Turner heading into the 2026 season.

Gervon Dexter Sr.

A defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears who is entering the final year of his contract.

Grady Jarrett

A defensive tackle who the Bears have a potential out in his contract next offseason.

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What they’re saying

“I had a ton of faith he was going to be on the same track as (fellow rookies) Luther (Burden), as Colston (Loveland), as Ozzy (Trapilo); the more that (Shemar) played, his impact was going to be felt more and more, and I felt like we didn't get to see that.”

— Ryan Poles, Bears GM

What’s next

The Bears' decision on how early they select a defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft will signal how much they believe in Shemar Turner's potential.

The takeaway

Shemar Turner has a golden opportunity to prove himself as a starter on the Bears' defensive line in 2026, but he must show he can be an impactful player at the NFL level after an injury-plagued rookie season. The pressure is on Turner to live up to the high expectations set by GM Ryan Poles.