Daniel Hardy has become a problem for Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, but it is the good kind of problem. This young edge rusher is playing at a level that forces the coaching staff to rethink their entire rotation. The numbers show a clear shift in the defensive front over the last two weeks.
Hardy played 51.4 percent of the defensive snaps in the last two games, totaling 56 out of 109 snaps. That is a massive jump from the start of the season when he saw just seven snaps in the first five weeks. He has filled the void left by Montez Sweat’s suspension and Dayo Odeyingbo’s injury with real production.
Hardy’s Stats Show Real Impact
The statistics from these last two games tell a compelling story about Hardy’s value. Per Bear Goggles On, he has recorded 1.5 sacks, seven total tackles, and one tackle for loss. He also added four quarterback hits and batted down a pass in the backfield. These are not just empty numbers; they show a player who knows how to disrupt the offense.
His ability to get to the quarterback is even more impressive when you look at the pass rush data. On 55 pass rush snaps, Hardy generated eight pressures and four quarterback hurries. His pass rush win rate sits at 19.6 percent, which ties for the sixth-best mark among edge rushers this season. That kind of efficiency is rare for a player who was barely on the field until recently.
When the defense drops into “true pass sets,” Hardy’s win rate climbs to 26.5 percent, ranking 16th-best in the league. This shows he can handle specific high-leverage situations. He is not just a body on the field; he is getting the job done when it matters most.
The Return of the Veterans
Now comes the tricky part for Dennis Allen. The team is getting key players back, and Hardy has made it hard to keep him on the bench. Montez Sweat is returning from his two-game suspension. Sweat has not registered a sack in his last two games and has only four combined pressures.
Austin Booker currently leads the team with four sacks, tied with Kyler Gordon. The Bears have multiple options, but Hardy’s recent surge complicates the decision. The coaching staff must decide if they keep the hot hand or return to the veterans who have more experience. Allen has to balance the need for immediate production with the long-term plan for the roster.
The next game is Monday, Nov. 2, at Seattle Seahawks. The Bears will face a tough pass rush, and every snap counts. If Hardy keeps this up, Allen might have to play both Hardy and the returning stars to get the best pass rush possible.
