Monroe Freeling: Why The Bears Will Take Him In The 1st Round

The defense will get tons of attention in the upcoming draft for obvious reasons. They were 29th overall in the NFL and 23rd in points allowed. That includes ranking 22nd against the pass and 27th against the run. Suffice it to say, the group needs a lot of work, particularly up front. That is why many believe Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles will focus on that area during the 1st round of the 2026 NFL draft. However, there is one lingering concern. The Bears don’t have a left tackle. Their anticipated starter is injured and not expected back until the regular season. Everybody else is a free agent. With free agency looking bleak, the only other avenue is the draft. That is where Monroe Freeling comes in.

He isn’t one of the hotter names on the media circuit. That is largely because he hasn’t had time to build up his reputation. Make no mistake: history shows people in the league know about him. Players like him always tend to sneak into the 1st round. With the Bears picking 25th overall, they feel like the exact sort of team that would take the calculated risk on him. Here’s why.

Monroe Freeling stats to know:

• Sacks allowed (2025): 3
• Pressures allowed (2025): 9
• 2 penalties in over 700 snaps

Strengths:

• His 6’7″, 315 lbs frame and 34-inch arms give him the ideal dimensions for the NFL.
• Outstanding athlete. Moves fluidly in space and has the quick feet to handle speed rushers.
• Good instincts and intelligence to recognize stunts and twists.
• Has the anchor and punch to survive on an island without needing constant help.

Coach Johnson has said any left tackle who plays for him needs to be smart and able to handle himself one-on-one. This play is one of several examples from Freeling. He pops out of his stance with plenty of agility, mirroring the rusher. His hands shoot out to prevent the defender from getting a head of steam, and then he keeps them tight inside to diffuse the rush. Freeling then stays square throughout the rep, not giving up until he knows the ball is gone. That is a textbook block.

• Lethal on outside runs and the screen game due to his mobility and aggressive demeanor.
• Rarely panics. You rarely see him get overanxious or overreact to crises.
• Basketball background shows up in his ability to change directions so easily.

Weaknesses:

• Only started 16 games, and it shows in his inconsistent technique.
• Run-blocking needs refining. Doesn’t always sustain blocks or take the right angles.
• Doesn’t always play with proper leverage, which leaves his tall frame vulnerable.
• Still underpowered, likely from being on the lighter side for his size.
• Though his hands are violent, they are also predictable. He’ll need a more diverse approach.

Bears fans will be reminded of: Bernhard Raimann

Raimann was a bit of a marvel going into the 2022 draft. He started college as a tight end before shifting to left tackle. He was a high-level athlete who could move as well as anybody who was 6’7″, 303 lbs. Evaluators saw somebody still raw and learning, but improving quickly. The main sticking point with him was his light frame and the fact that he would turn 25 years old going into his rookie season. That didn’t stop the Indianapolis Colts from taking him in the 3rd round. Raimann has been their starting left tackle ever since.

Monroe Freeling is a perfect case study for this question. Would Raimann have been a 1st-round pick if he’d been 21 years old, like the Georgia standout is? Probably, yeah. Despite his inexperience, Freeling is already showing signs of a natural feel for his position. He moves well, keeps a cool head, can anchor, and has that edge all NFL tackles need. How good would the Bears’ offensive line have looked if they’d had Raimann at left tackle all season? Your immediate reaction to that question should tell you everything.

Why Ben Johnson will demand him

Bears head coach Ben Johnson made his feelings about the left tackle position plain from the start. He will not sacrifice his high standards. That is why he tinkered with it constantly throughout training camp and was willing to put Joe Thuney there for the playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. Whoever plays left tackle must meet certain criteria. They must be smart, have a good anchor, and be able to survive on an island without constant help. If any guys don’t check those boxes, they shouldn’t expect to hold the job long.

It looked like Ozzy Trapilo was beginning to cement his grip on the job down the stretch this season. Then he tore his patella against Green Bay. His future is now in question. Patella injuries are notoriously difficult to return from. Monroe Freeling is the caliber of athlete, intelligence, and attitude that Johnson seems to covet. The inexperience and technical flaws won’t scare him. He knows he and offensive line coach Dan Roushar can fix such issues. All the player must be is willing to learn.