Defensive line and safety will be the primary talking points for Chicago Bears fans as the offseason unfolds this spring. However, linebacker should not be overlooked. There is a strong probability that some significant changes are coming to that position as well. Noah Sewell is a free agent, as is D’Marco Jackson. Tremaine Edmunds could be cut due to his hefty contract. All of this makes it likely the team will invest at least one draft pick at the position. So it should be a surprise they’re spending extra time evaluating it. Enter Shad Banks.
The linebacker from UTSA is reportedly drawing a lot of attention from NFL teams at the American Bowl this month. The team that has spent the most time with him is the Bears. One reason for that is his speed. Banks has outstanding range for a linebacker, as evidenced by his three interceptions this past season. If that weren’t enough, he returned one of them for a touchdown, along with a fumble as well. He has 208 tackles in college, including 21 for a loss and four sacks. Such versatility is valuable for creative coaches like Dennis Allen.
The interest in Shad Banks isn’t a surprise.
It became clear how much the Bears’ priorities had changed at linebacker during the 2025 draft. Their selection of Rueben Hyppolite in the 4th round was a surprise. Most experts didn’t rank him that high, but Allen felt the team needed his pure speed. Now the reported interest in Shad Banks merely reinforces it. As they reshape their linebackers moving forward, speed will be at the top of the priority list. It shouldn’t be a surprise, since this is much like how Allen built those strong units in New Orleans.
Remember, the Bears struggled to defend the middle of the field this season. That usually happens when your linebackers either have bad instincts or aren’t great athletes. Shad Banks has both. Much depends on how high he can go in the draft. Current projections have it being somewhere on day three. If his pre-draft process continues to shine, that could change. If nothing else, this confirms the Bears might be prioritizing linebacker than other people are accounting for.
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