Even if you didn’t follow the Chicago Bears‘ 2026 NFL draft closely, you still probably heard a lot of the grumbling from fans and media about their approach to it. Most agree that the defense needed to be the focus of the action, especially up front. The Bears were one of the league’s worst last season at pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run. They had to find fresh bodies to help solve the problem. So you can imagine the reaction when they didn’t take a defensive tackle until the 6th round and didn’t take an edge rusher at all.

People couldn’t understand it. The Bears had four picks in the first three rounds and spent three of them on offense. The one that wasn’t was a safety. General manager Ryan Poles spoke after the draft and explained what happened. From his perspective, the board just didn’t cooperate. No defensive linemen available when the Bears were on the clock had the same grades as the players they ended up drafting. His goal was to take the best players possible, even if that meant failing to address a need.

Yet even as the criticism persisted after the draft, future Hall of Fame general manager Howie Roseman had a comment that instantly put things into perspective.

The Chicago Bears should know all about Roseman’s process.

After all, former assistant GM Ian Cunningham spent years learning under the Philadelphia Eagles’ leading man. You’ll often see throughout his long tenure as a GM that he didn’t always chase needs in the draft, opting instead to take players of value. It has certainly served the Eagles well, who’ve reached three Super Bowls and won two since 2017. Conversely, there was a time when the Bears chased needs almost ever year. Just look at how former GM Ryan Pace operated.

Here was the list of top Bears needs going into the 2015 draft, according to NFL.com.

• WR
• NT
• OL
• S
• EDGE

Here is what they ended up with from that draft.

White was an injury-prone bust. Goldman started out well but fell off after a few years. Grasu got hurt immediately. Amos turned out well, but Fabuluje never played a down for the Bears. So what would’ve happened if they hadn’t been so married to need?

• Round 1 – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia (taken 3 picks later)
• Round 2 – Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA (taken 6 picks later)
• Round 3 – Danielle Hunter, EDGE, LSU (taken 17 picks later)
• Round 4 – Shaq Mason, C, Georgia Tech (taken 25 picks later)
• Round 5 – Adrian Amos, S, Penn State
• Round 6 – Quandre Diggs, DB, Texas (taken 17 picks later)

Obviously, hindsight is 20/20, but this is what the Bears’ draft could’ve looked like if they hadn’t been married to addressing needs. Gurley was a far more proven prospect than White. Kendricks would’ve been a way better linebacker option than Shea McClellin or Christian Jones. You get the edge rusher this time and still land a quality center in the 4th. Then you walk it off with two excellent secondary additions.

The point is, there is no such thing as no weaknesses.

Every single team has weaknesses, even the eventual champions. People talk about how great the 1985 Chicago Bears were. They forget that the team ranked 20th in passing offense in the NFL. It just didn’t matter because they had a dominant run game and an all-time great defense. This was because they wisely focused on adding great players rather than needs. Remember, they took linebacker Otis Wilson in the 1st round in 1981. A year later, despite having more pressing spots to address, they still took Mike Singletary in the 2nd round.

That is what this new Bears regime is trying to do. They aim to gather the largest possible concentration of talent. If it happens to be at tight end or cornerback rather than defensive tackle or running back? So be it. You can work around such problems when the roster has enough top-tier talent. The Eagles won their two Super Bowls with two quarterbacks who nobody will be seeing in the Hall of Fame. Their running backs were never elite, nor were their linebackers. Roseman was just so effective at stacking other positions that it masked everywhere else.

If there was one draft pick made by the Chicago Bears this weekend that caught everybody by surprise, it was them taking Stanford tight end Sam Roush in the 3rd round. It made no sense to the people watching. Chicago already has two excellent tight ends in Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. If they wanted a third guy, just wait until the later rounds to grab him or comb the veteran market after the draft. However, head coach Ben Johnson was adamant that Roush was somebody he wanted, so general manager Ryan Poles made the move.

To many, it was one of two things. A wasted pick on an unnecessary luxury, or the start of a broader plan by Johnson. One that would see him phase Kmet out of the offense and insert Roush alongside Loveland long-term. Such an idea was hard to stomach. Kmet is a beloved figure in Chicago and had a good season in 2025. Why look to unload him in the near future like that? Thankfully, Sports Mockery insider Jeff Hughes countered those rumors. He reached out to several friends in the scouting community, asking if Roush replacing Kmet was a possibility. They all answered the same way.

Not happening.

Sam Roush is replacing Smythe, not Kmet.

Some may wonder why the Bears would spend a 3rd round pick on a third tight end. The answer lay in Johnson’s offense. Smythe logged over 300 snaps last season, serving primarily as a blocker with occasional passes thrown his way. He was a true extension of the running game, allowing the team to dabble in “13” personnel with three tight ends on the field. The Bears didn’t draft Roush to be a poor man’s version of Kmet. They drafted him to be an upgraded version of Smythe.

The best way to think of him is as an extra offensive lineman who is athletic enough to become a weapon in the passing game, depending on the situation. Diversity is the name of the game in the NFL. The more unpredictable you can make the offense, the harder it becomes to defend. That is what Coach Johnson always talks about. Try to make the same plays look different and different plays look the same. When you force the defense to think, you’re already one step ahead of them.

Besides, the Bears’ pick was quickly validated.

After they took Sam Roush with the 69th overall pick, three more tight ends went during the rest of the round. It confirmed that there was a strong likelihood that if the Bears hadn’t picked him, somebody else would’ve. All this talk about him going on day three wasn’t true. The league is shifting offensive philosophy. Blocking tight ends are more useful than ever. Both the Los Angeles Rams and world champion Seattle Seahawks proved that last season. The Bears want to be at the forefront of that trend, which isn’t something they’ve been known for in the past.

More than anything, at least the team has a clear plan in mind for Roush. They didn’t draft him just because they were afraid other teams might. His blocking ability was a perfect fit for this offense. Johnson would waste no time utilizing it, both to help the run game and also free up Loveland for more pass-catching opportunities. He may never become a star, but his value to the offense will be clear the longer you watch him. Every spring run for a big gain and an extra second bought for Caleb Williams in the pocket will pay enormous dividends.

After failing to find further help for the defense on day two of the draft, the Chicago Bears entered the final afternoon with a sense of urgency. Dennis Allen’s unit needed help, and thankfully, there were still some good players out there. It started in the 4th round when they grabbed Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad. He was a big part of the Longhorns finishing with the #3 defense in 2024 and furthered that success on a personal level with two interceptions last season. His height, length, and fluid athleticism helped him stand out as a very good cover corner.

Though somewhat on the thinner side at 182 lbs, it was surprising to some that Muhammad fell to the bottom of the 4th round. Usually players with his skill set go earlier than that. What makes it even crazier is when you start hearing stories about him. Bears national scout John Syty has roots in Texas, so he became familiar with Muhammad right away. As he and other personnel grew more familiar with the cornerback, they came across a story that quickly reaffirmed their desire to draft him. Syty revealed it after the pick went in.

Malik Muhammad is a locker room drover.

“He’s a football guy at the end of the day. The story that probably describes him best: big recruit coming out of high school. Gets to Texas and there’s a sophomore safety that’s been there for two years – Michael Taaffe, who’s also in this draft class. This is Mike telling the story about Malik. Malik gets in there and Mike’s teaching him the defense and they’re sitting there and Malik looks up at the depth chart on the board next to them and sees Mike’s No. 16 is second on the depth chart. Malik turns to Mike saying, ‘What’s the case with this?’ And Mike says, ‘Well, listen, I’m young, I’m behind a couple really good vets in this room and my role is special teams.’ Malik looks at him and says, ‘I guess you don’t really want to play in the NFL then, do you? Why don’t you erase that and put your number up there?‘ That’s kinda how this kid’s wired. This kid’s hard-wired to play in the NFL. His goal was to get to college, do three years, get out and get to our level. I think as a result he’s getting rewarded for the fruits of his labor.”

Players like Muhammad are incredibly valuable.

It isn’t just that they’re talented. He obviously is. Under the guidance of Al Harris, he has a chance to become a starter in this defense within the first two years. All of the physical tools are there. What separates him is the mentality. Muhammad isn’t just interested in his own personal success. He wants to win. That can’t happen unless his teammates embrace the challenge of getting better as well. For him to immediately recognize the need for someone to push others tells you everything about his mental makeup.

If that weren’t enough, this quote probably seals it.

“You dominate everybody. When it’s time to put your nuts on the floor, you gotta go dominate. I mean, it’s just like second nature. When it’s a big game, shoot, we ’bout to get up for it.”

Yeah, this kid is a competitor. It probably isn’t a coincidence that Texas had its two best seasons in over a decade once he became a starter on defense. He played well and supplemented that with vocal leadership, willing teammates to do better. That helped put Texas one quarter away from winning the national championship. Unfortunately, they couldn’t overcome a stacked Ohio State team. No doubt the cornerback is eager to have the same impact in Chicago.

History could be on their side as well.

The last time the Bears drafted a defensive back from Texas, they selected Nathan Vasher in 2004. He became a crucial part of the defense that helped the team reach Super Bowl XLI in 2006. Malik Muhammad is more talented than Vasher was, particularly in terms of athleticism and speed. Couple that with getting to work with Harris, arguably the best cornerbacks coach in the NFL, and his chances of success are high. Based on his reputation, there won’t be any fear of hard work.

Only one thing remains unknown. How long will it be before he sees the field? There is plenty of competition. Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson are the presumed starters. Then you have a returning Terell Smith and former 5th round pick Zah Frazier in the mix as well. Muhammad won’t be given anything. He’ll have to earn it. If his personality is any indication, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Chicago Bears began the 2026 draft as many expected, focusing on defense. They selected safety Dillon Thieneman from Oregon 25th overall. Many called it one of the best picks of the entire round, a highly talented player who was a perfect fit for Dennis Allen’s defense. However, things took a turn on day two, as the Bears selected three straight offensive players. It started with Iowa center Logan Jones, who some felt was a slight reach. He turns 25 this year and is considered somewhat undersized for the position.

Did Bears general manager Ryan Poles panic and make a mistake? He admitted that the run on defensive linemen earlier in the 2nd round forced him to pivot elsewhere. Maybe he should’ve waited. Yet that isn’t how he felt. Head coach Ben Johnson admitted after the draft that Jones was one of his biggest crushes in this draft. The two clicked immediately after meeting for a top 30 visit. If that weren’t enough to cement the pick, wait until you hear what NFL scouts told Bob McGinn of Go Long about Jones.

“He’s far and away the best center,” one scout said. “Third round.” Was a defensive tackle before moving to offense in spring 2022 after Tyler Linderbaum was off to the NFL. “He’s not Linderbaum,” said another scout. “He’s more like Luke Wattenberg who came out of Washington and who plays in the league (Denver). He’s not going to be the best ever but he’s got strong hands and he’s smart. His makeup is awesome. He’s got good enough size and power to be a starter. Typical Iowa guy.” Started 50 games at center over four years. Paced the centers in the 40, short shuttle (4.45) and 3-cone (7.35). “Little bit of a poor man’s Linderbaum,” a third scout said. “He should find his way onto the field just because of who he is. The athlete, the hand strength. You want bigger and all that, but in the San Francisco (zone) scheme I could see him excelling.”

Logan Jones is a great fit in many ways.

Start with the scheme. Chicago excelled at running the ball with an outside-zone alignment. That requires the center to be mobile and able to pick defenders off in space. It is why Drew Dalman was such a great signing in free agency last year and made the Pro Bowl. Jones is built the same way. Jones ran a 4.90 in the 40-yard dash and a 32-inch vertical jump at 300 lbs. That showed his lower-body explosiveness, which you can see throughout his tape. He thrived in space, consistently picking off linebackers and defensive backs for positive rushing gains.

Yet the craziest part is that he might be an even better pass protector. His technique and footwork are excellent, and he demonstrates a keen eye for identifying where blitzes and stunts are coming from. The only criticism most harp on is his size. At 6’3″ with 30-inch arms, he will be at a disadvantage against bigger defensive tackles. That didn’t seem to deter the Bears with Dalman, who had similar dimensions. Johnson knows how to scheme around that problem.

The Bears are never steered wrong by adding Iowa guys.

After all, the best offensive line in franchise history during the 1980s was made up of two of them. Center Jay Hilgenberg and guard Mark Bortz both came from the program. James Daniels was a solid blocker during his time with the team as well. The current NFL is littered with good blockers from there. Logan Jones will be another in that line. He has the perfect makeup of an NFL player: tough, smart, athletic, and totally dedicated to his craft. Yes, he is older for a rookie, but that should be offset by the fact that he could start immediately.

The Bears may have said the starting job belongs to Garrett Bradbury, but everybody knows minds can change quickly. Training camp will tell the story. If Jones performs up to his usual standard this summer, it will be difficult for Johnson to keep him out of the lineup. Chicago wanted somebody they could trust. It sounds like they found him. The only thing left to do is let him do what he does best. Nobody will care about where he was drafted if Jones lives up to his capability.

The Chicago Bears didn’t get much praise for their 2026 draft class after the festivities ended on Saturday. They didn’t much derision either. People just seemed to overlook it entirely. General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson explained afterward that they felt they had assembled a group of players who fit the team’s DNA. They were tough, athletic, smart, and completely devoted to the game of football. They were right about one thing. Chicago’s class ranked #1 in athleticism according to Next Gen Stats.

Still, most people just shrug when they look at the group. Matt Miller of ESPN is not one of them. The high-profile draft expert made a bold proclamation in a recent column that should catch everybody’s attention.

“Miller: The 2026 class will be the one that puts the Bears over the top and into a Super Bowl. Quarterback Caleb Williams is the main reason for the Bears’ success, but adding safety Dillon Thieneman and cornerback Malik Muhammad satisfies huge needs in the secondary, while center Logan Jones will be Williams’ new best friend and bodyguard.”

That is pretty high praise. Miller hasn’t been shy about his love of Thieneman. He said after the 1st round concluded that it was the best pick of the night. Most agree that Malik Muhammad was an excellent value pick who should’ve gone earlier than the 4th round, representing the right mix of height, length, and athleticism for press coverage. As for Jones, ESPN’s expert panel agreed he was the best center in the class.

This Chicago Bears take isn’t crazy.

Sometimes it’s the less celebrated draft classes that end up laying the foundation of a champion. Most people believe the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty was built with the 2013 and 2017 classes when they secured tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Few people had high praise for the 2016 class. That was the year Kansas City traded out of the 1st round entirely. There wasn’t much value in the picks they had. It just so happened that was the year they selected Chris Jones and Tyreek Hill.

The Chicago Bears experienced the same. Most credit the 1983 class with the team’s Super Bowl win in 1985. While a fair assessment, it’s too easy to look past the 1984 class that followed it. There is almost no fanfare for that year despite the team adding linebacker Wilber Marshall and defensive back Shaun Gayle. Both men were crucial to that playoff run the next year. Gayle scored a pivotal special teams touchdown in the win over New York in the divisional round, while Marshall scored the game-sealing touchdown against the Rams in the NFC Championship. Both became Pro Bowlers.

Time will tell with this class.

Judging a group right after the draft is never wise. There is no predicting how things will go. That said, nobody can say the Bears’ process was bad. Positional value aside, most experts agree the team landed quality players at almost every pick. Thieneman was widely considered the #2 safety in the entire draft. Jones was the #1 or #2 center. Many had Sam Roush as a top-three tight end. Linebacker Keyshaun Elliot had a ton of fans in the scouting community. It sounds like the Bears got several good football players.

More than that, it feels like there was a clear plan with all of them. Thieneman is a perfect complement to Coby Bryant in the secondary with his mixture of coverage and run defense. Jones is an ideal fit for the outside-zone run scheme Johnson utilizes on offense. Roush is the best run-blocking tight end in the class and better than Durham Smythe was. Thomas provides a speed element that was missing last year, both on offense and special teams. Elliott has the instincts and attacking style Dennis Allen loves in linebackers, while Jordan Van Den Berg is the type of explosive interior rusher his defense requires.

It is a talented class that fits the team perfectly. Miller might be onto something.

The Chicago Bears have already gotten a jumpstart on undrafted free agency. This tracker will help you monitor who they’ve added and what each name brings to the table. Expect this to be updated regularly as more names come in over the next couple of days.

Jaren Kump, C, Utah

The unsung hero of that loaded Utah offensive line that saw two 1st round picks this year. Kump is your classic overachiever. While not elite in talent, he’s tough, rugged, a leader, and has good power. Those traits tend to stick in the NFL, and the Bears want as much interior depth as possible.

Caden Barnett, OG, Wyoming

True to form, he is explosive and physical. He gets out in space well as a run-blocker and has a strong anchor in pass protection. The power is certainly there as well. Footwork is something he needs to clean up, as he struggles to protect the edges because of it.

Miller Moss, QB, Louisville

At one point, he was the heir apparent at USC after Williams left. Unfortunately, his season as a starter didn’t go as hoped, and he transferred to Louisville, where he went a respectable 9-4. While not known for great size or athleticism, Moss has a strong arm, solid accuracy, and high football intelligence.

The Chicago Bears will win brownie points with Williams for that.

KC Eziomume, CB, Tulane

This is what you call a pure projection player. Eziomune has size, length and athleticism for the cornerback position. He just never got much playing time to show it. He barely got onto the field for Tulane in 2025. Still, his dimensions and press-man skill screamed Chicago Bears, particularly Al Harris.

Gabriel Plascencia, K, San Diego State

We can’t forget that Cairo Santos turns 35 years old this year. The Bears must ensure they’re prepared in case he loses his edge for whatever reason. Plascenia connected on an impressive 36-of-41 field goal attempts during his college career, demonstrating an ability to focus in high-pressure situations.

Coleman Bennett, RB, Kennesaw State

A big running back with an aggressive running style. He fights through contact on every carry and has proven pass-catching capability from his time as a wide receiver. Some compare him to Jamaal Williams, who, of course, played under Johnson in Detroit a few years ago.

Skyler Thomas, S, Oregon

Dillon Thieneman’s teammate on the field. The two obviously know each other well. Thomas isn’t the athlete that the 1st round pick is, but he’s remarkably good in coverage, especially against tight ends. His special teams prowess also stands out. If he can improve his tackling, the ceiling is higher than people think.

Hayden Large, TE, Iowa

Versatility is a major value for most teams, but especially the Bears. Large played both tight end and fullback during his college career. He was never a primary threat in the passing game, but had a well-earned reputation for gritty, dependable blocking. That will play in this offense.

Jayden Loving, DL, Wyoming

Explosiveness was the name of the game this offseason as the Chicago Bears revamped their defensive tackle room. It started with Jordan Van Den Berg in the 6th round. Now they add Loving as well, who showcased loads of quickness and a non-stop motor. He took a big step last year with 2.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.

Squirrel White, WR, Florida State

Undersized for his position, White is nevertheless ultra-explosive with 4.28 speed and a 40-inch vertical jump. He’s a true vertical threat who also offers punt return value. Speed always works in the NFL, but White needs to improve his route-running and try to put on some weight.

Beau Gardner, LS, Georgia

Nobody thinks about long snappers until you need one. Gardner started for three seasons for one of the top programs in the country and improved each year, winning the Patrick Mannelly Award in 2025.

Josh Kreutz, C, Illinois (tryout)

This is easily the coolest story of the past few days. Josh Kreutz is the son of Bears legend Olin Kreutz. After completing a productive career for Illinois, he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. While not the biggest guy, he’s tough, polished, and a decent athlete. His reliable pass-blocking alone deserves a closer look.

Dain Walter, OT, UW-Lacrosse (tryout)

It’s never a bad sign when a player dominates his competition at the small school level. Walter is 6’6″, 313 lbs, and didn’t allow a sack in his final season. He has the measurables to make the NFL leap and doesn’t lack the grit or tenacity. What remains unknown is if he can handle the jump in competition.

Terrell Tilmon, EDGE, Texas Tech (tryout)

Sometimes bad luck plays a part in your story. Tilmon had the misfortune of playing on a stack roster behind David Bailey and Romello Height at Texas Tech, which limited his opportunities. Never mind that Oregon tried switching him to tight end in 2022. Despite that, he showed flashes in the limited chances he got.

Mason Murphy, OT, Auburn

While not the greatest athlete in the world, Murphy showed impressive versatility when he was forced to move from tackle to center in the wake of teammate Connor Lew’s season-ending injury. The Bears value players who can play more than one position, so the interest seems pretty obvious.

Omari Kelly, WR, Michigan State

Transferred three times in college, eventually getting an opportunity with Michigan State, where he had a decent year with 626 yards. He’s a solid route-runner, has punt return experience, and has developed a reputation for making big catches in big moments.

Christian Vaughn, RB, Hawaii (tryout)

A thick running back who served as a backup in two years for Hawaii. However, before that, he was a rising star at Butte College in JUCO. His 2023-2024 season saw him post 1,456 yards and 18 touchdowns. He runs hard and displays pretty good vision.

Devin Pringle, DB, UConn (tryout)

An undersized but feisty cornerback who turned a strong career at Grand Valley State into a season at UConn, where he had an interception, a sack, and four tackles for a loss.

Jaheim Ward, DB, Eastern Kentucky (tryout)

Brother of Minnesota Vikings safety Jay Ward. He is a big safety at 6’2″ and 200 lbs with notable versatility against the run and in coverage. He was moved around a lot by his coaches. Aggressiveness is a key part of his game, and he boasts an impressive 4.40 speed.

The draft is over, but the work is not. The Chicago Bears still have several roster spots left open, meaning they are likely to be aggressive in undrafted free agency. General manager Ryan Poles typically drafts around 10 players each year. That number is expected to spike as they try to address their depth. This will be a fun test for him and head coach Ben Johnson to see how much better their recruiting pitch has gotten. The Bears have plenty of spots that will see lots of competition this summer. It’s all about finding the right guys.

There is no shortage of intriguing names they can and should get the jump on. Many of them are at positions of need for this team. Here is a rundown of the ones to watch for as the phones start ringing.

Ryan Poles can score big if he moves quickly.

Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan

Dennis Allen is strict about his preferences with edge rushers, but sometimes you should at least consider an exception. Thought only 6’1″, Tucker exploded in 2025 after three years as a backup with 14.5 sacks and 20 tackles for a loss. He didn’t do this in the FCS or Division II. He did it in the MAC Conference. His natural instincts for rushing the passer are off the charts. There has to be a use for someone like that.

Al-Jay Henderson, RB, Buffalo

While Ben Johnson might love speed above all else, he will make compromises at the running back position. If you have great vision, instincts, and toughness, you’ll have a home in this offense. Henderson checks those boxes. He runs hard and understands how to find holes. Speed isn’t his thing, nor is catching the ball. However, he’s a strong pass protector, and that will sell with this team.

Isaiah World, OT, Oregon

A big and long tackle with a determined approach to run-blocking. That isn’t a bad foundation to work with. Right now, World’s issues are technical. He has a lot of fundamental problems in pass protection. It will take some time to correct under the right coaching. That said, he has the development upside to become a reliable swing tackle who could start one day.

Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC

Ryan Poles revamped the safety room with Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman, but depth remains a concern. Fitzgerald was an outstanding ballhawk for the Trojans in college. The problem was he’s undersized at 5’11” and displayed frequent issues defending the run, mostly due to bad pursuit angles. That will need correcting, but there is no doubt his takeaway skills are valuable.

Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama

Like many Crimson Tide linebackers, Lawson is a good athlete who functions well in the open field. He has range, coverage skills, and can blitz, too. His ceiling might not be as high as others, but there is no question he’d be a great fit in Allen’s system as a potential Will linebacker. For a team that likes mixing athleticism with instincts, this is the type of guy they go for.

J. Michael Sturdivant, WR, Florida

Like Zavion Thomas, Sturdivant didn’t produce a ton in college. However, he has loads of physical traits that can translate to the NFL. He has good size and above-average speed. He’ll give effort after the catch and isn’t afraid to run-block. The primary issue is a typical one with young players. He needs refining. More discipline is required before he starts realizing his potential.

It wasn’t a fun day on day two of the draft for Chicago Bears fans. Going in expecting more investments in defense, they were instead treated to three straight offensive picks. It started with Iowa center Logan Jones, then moved to Stanford tight end Sam Roush, and finally LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas. What were they thinking? This defense ranked among the worst in the NFL last season. It badly needed help, especially up front. Had head coach Ben Johnson hijacked the process to just take whoever he wanted?

No. There wasn’t any conspiracy behind it. General manager Ryan Poles explained that the draft board just didn’t break their way. Many of the defensive options they liked were gone by the time they were on the clock again, so the Bears went with the best names available. Still, the team wasn’t ready to give up. They felt they could find some help on defense during the final day of action.

It started well with the selection of Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the 4th round. However, Poles’ best work may have come with the final two picks. First was taking Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott in the 5th round. A notorious football junkie, he boasts intelligence, leadership, instincts, and enough athleticism and stopping power to man the middle of most defenses.

Lastly, the Bears swung an unexpected trade, packaging their two 7th round picks to jump into the 6th round for Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan Van Den Berg. While it took him a while to get going in college, he broke out for three sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in 2025, showcasing rare explosiveness.

The Chicago Bears stuck to their plan.

From the beginning, Johnson said his only goal was to draft good football players. Focus on doing that, and they would figure out the rest later. There is no question that the Bears did that in this draft. Almost all of their picks were highly productive in one form or another. Dillon Thieneman was a terror at safety for Oregon. Jones started several games for the Hawkeyes. Roush was probably the best blocking tight end in college football. Thomas had three return touchdowns. Elliott had 98 tackles, seven sacks, and 14 tackles for a loss last season alone.

Yet it isn’t just that. Every single one of the Bears’ picks is a standout athlete. Poles and Johnson said a major goal this year was improving team speed. They’ve definitely done that. Thieneman ran a 4.35. Thomas ran a 4.28. Jones and Van Den Berg both ran sub-5.00 at 300+ lbs. These kids can run. Few things stress opponents more than having a full roster that can fly. The Chicago Bears took a massive step in that direction, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that every single one of these picks is known for being football lifers.

The competition is everywhere.

Elliott and Van Den Berg aren’t just coming in to serve as backups. Both are more than capable of competing for a starting job. The Bears have left several spots on the defensive side unaccounted for, particularly at linebacker. The upcoming training camp figures to be a slugfest between guys fighting for playing time. Johnson wouldn’t have it any other way. If this team wants to be champions, they need to start operating as if every day might be their last. By making it clear that no one is safe, the sense of urgency increases.

None of these guys will be coming in and accepting the role of a backup. They aim to play football. July and August will be all-out war, and the Bears will be better for it. Having seen the entire picture, it feels like they did a great job with this draft class. None of these guys were added purely for special teams reasons. They can play. Now they just have to go earn it.