Jul 4, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki (27) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
I’m sure most, if not all, 30 MLB fan bases feel like their respective team handles injuries poorly, and that is certainly the case for the Chicago Cubs. So, without a doubt, fans started to roll their eyes this past weekend when the team revealed that Seiya Suzuki would not be available for Opening Day this Thursday against the Washington Nationals.
Suzuki, who hit 32 home runs and drove in 103 runs in 2025, injured his right PCL playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs were hopeful that he would recover in time for Opening Day, but as soon as the team announced he wouldn’t, fans began to wonder if they would have to sit through the tiresome waiting game the Cubs seem to love to play with injuries.
Again, this happens throughout the league, but it’s no less annoying. A player gets injured, and instead of placing them on the injured list immediately, they want to wait it out to see if they can recover within the 10-day period. Then, that player isn’t recovering as the team hoped for, and they end up going on the injured list anyway, all the while the team is playing a man down for a week or so.
Well, this time around, the Cubs actually made the smart decision with Suzuki. Instead of trying to thread the needle and limit the amount of games missed, the team has decided to place Suzuki on the 10-day injured list heading into Opening Day.
"Day-to-day, the pain has gone down and it's been feeling better each day … I want to make sure it heals and then come back to the team."
All right, now that we know for sure that Suzuki will be on the injured list to begin the regular season, we can look into the team’s plan to replace him in right field. Hopefully, this will only be a short-term issue with Suzuki missing the minimum amount of time recovering from the knee injury.
Veteran outfielder Michael Conforto locked up a spot on the Opening Day roster thanks to Suzuki’s absence. Conforto, 33, signed a minor league deal with the Cubs at the beginning of spring training action, and while it appeared as though he was trending toward an Opening Day spot, the injury to Suzuki confirmed his addition to the bench mix.
With Ian Happ in left field, Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field, Conforto is currently the most experienced player in the outfield who is competing for playing time with Suzuki out for the first chunk of games. Second-year player Matt Shaw has looked a bit shaky in his audition in the outfield during spring training, but it does appear as though the Cubs do want to use him in right field on occasion this season.
If the team is concerned about Shaw’s defense in right, then outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara could end up making the team out of spring training. Meanwhile, Dylan Carlson remains in the mix to secure one of the final bench spots on the Opening Day roster. Carlson could be the backup center fielder to begin the regular season.
Mar 17, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Michael Conforto against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Chicago Cubs are close to finalizing their Opening Day roster and an unexpected veteran has now earned a spot among the 26 players who will make the trip to Wrigley Field out of camp.
Left-handed hitting outfielder Michael Conforto agreed to a minor league deal with the Cubs back in February, and at the time, there was a little wiggle room in terms of his chances of making the team out of spring training. Fans later learned that Tyler Austin needed knee surgery, knocking him out of the bench mix heading into the 2026 season.
Now, right fielder Seiya Suzuki is headed to the injured list, clearing the way for Conforto to not only make the Opening Day roster, but he may now be the potential starting right fielder against the Washington Nationals on Thursday.
So far in spring training, Conforto is 9-for-33, with four doubles. The 33-year-old is coming off a rough season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Conforto isn’t all that removed from a decent 2024 campaign with the San Francisco Giants.
We’ll see later this week how Cubs manager Craig Counsell decides to handle right field with Suzuki out. Matt Shaw has also been getting more reps in the outfield during spring training, so he could be splitting time or potentially get the majority of the starts, filling in for Suzuki.
Michael Conforto’s Career Overview
Conforto played with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, after he signed a one-year, $17 million to become their starting left fielder. However, the left-handed batter struggled immensely and was ultimately kept off the Dodgers’ postseason roster after Conforto put up a career worst slash line of .199/.305/.333. His 83 wRC+ ranked 15th lowest among 177 players with at least 450 plate appearances in the 2025 season.
Flat out bad. Conforto began the regular season on fire, going 8-for-26, with a pair of home runs and four doubles in his first eight games, but then batted .191 with a .605 OPS and 75 wRC+ in the final 455 plate appearances of 2025. The only positive aspect at the plate for Conforto was his plate discipline as the left-handed batter posted an 11.5 BB%, in line with his career numbers.
Like any contending team, the Cubs are trying to win at the margins and that means bringing in guys who do have the ability to contribute in the majors. Although Conforto had brutal numbers with the Dodgers in 2025, he had a solid 2024 campaign with the San Francisco Giants. During the 2024 season Conforto recorded a 112 wRC+ and hit 20 home runs in 130 games.
The outfielder hasn’t been the same slugger on offense since his 2022 left shoulder surgery, but the Cubs don’t need Conforto to be an All-Star hitter like he was during his early run with the New York Mets. Any good team will bring in veterans that have good track records and roll the dice during spring training, looking if there’s still something there.
He’s a known name with a better past than other guys who have been signed this offseason to compete for a bench spot, so Conforto will draw more attention. The Cubs have brought in Chas McCormick and Dylan Carlson to compete for a fourth outfielder job, while Justin Dean was also added to the 40-man roster as depth in Triple-A. Conforto could find a way on the roster as a left-handed bat off the bench or make the team if there’s an injury.
Aug 23, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Reese McGuire (20) hits a grand slam against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
The Chicago White Sox made a surprising late roster move over the weekend, ditching Korey Lee in favor of Reese McGuire just days before Opening Day.
McGuire agreed to a $1.2 million deal with the White Sox after opting out of his minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, triggering a 72-hour window to sign elsewhere. He didn’t have to wait long. By Sunday night, he was already suiting up for the White Sox in a Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners.
As a result, Lee was informed that he would not be making the Opening Day roster. Adding insult to injury, McGuire delivered a two-run homer and a double off the bench in Chicago’s 4-2 loss to Seattle.
It’s a tough break for Lee, who fell victim to a calculated roster move. While McGuire isn’t a huge upgrade, he offers a left-handed bat, a slightly stronger offensive track record, and greater trade flexibility.
Lee has appeared in 186 games for the White Sox over the past four seasons but has struggled to secure consistent playing time. After a career-high 125 games in 2024, a season in which he was praised for being a strong clubhouse presence during a difficult 121-loss campaign, the White Sox added Matt Thaiss, further crowding the depth chart.
Even after Thaiss was traded, Lee found himself blocked again following the call-ups of Quero and Teel.
Lee boasts one of the best pop times in baseball and hit a career-high 12 home runs in 2024. This spring, he also flashed some sneaky athleticism, swiping four bases during Cactus League play. Beyond the numbers, he’s earned praise from coaches for his clubhouse leadership and his work with both Teel and Quero.
But Lee is out of minor league options, and the White Sox were unlikely to carry three catchers, leaving him on borrowed time until Teel returned. Because of that, the club believes bringing Reese McGuire back into the fold is the better short-term fit.
Manager Will Venable told MLB.com that with Quero stepping into the primary catching role to open the season, McGuire offers a more natural complement. Teel does most of his damage from the right side, while McGuire provides a left-handed bat—something Lee, also a right-handed hitter, does not.
McGuire also offers a slightly higher offensive floor, even if the overall numbers don’t jump off the page. In 45 games with the Cubs last season, he slashed .260/.245/.444, showing some pop with nine home runs and 24 RBIs, compared to Lee, who owns a career .193/.234/.321 slash line with 14 homers, 47 RBIs
McGuire is no stranger to the South Side, either, hitting .225/.261/.285 with nine doubles and 10 RBIs with the White Sox in 2022. While much of the roster has turned over since then, that prior experience still provides some added comfort and familiarity.
The 31-year-old catcher knows how to handle a pitching staff and is also a steady glove behind the plate. Last season, McGuire was one of the best pitch framers in baseball and ranked in the top half of the MLB with a 1.93-second pop time.
Once Teel returns healthy, the White Sox likely view McGuire as the more movable piece. With many teams lacking catching depth, Chicago could potentially get a return for Lee before designating him for assignment, and eventually for McGuire as well. Since Lee wasn’t expected to be part of the team’s long-term plans, bringing McGuire back signals the White Sox are looking to gain an edge wherever they can.
Nov 1, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) is pressured by UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence (51) during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Each Chicago Bears 2026 mock draft should be about exploring different scenarios that could unfold next month. One that is being discussed quite a bit lately is the idea that Bears general manager Ryan Poles may move down from the 25th overall pick. Chicago only has seven picks and still has lots of roster holes to fill. They may wish to secure extra capital, taking advantage of a deep class at several positions. The question is how far they’re willing to move down. For the sake of intrigue, let’s say they decide to drop out of the 1st round entirely.
The Bears have traded down in the 1st round five times in the Super Bowl era. However, there is only one instance where they moved out of it entirely. That came in 2006 when they flipped the 26th overall pick to the Buffalo Bills for the 42nd pick and a 3rd round pick. They would be used on safety Danieal Manning and defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek. While not bad, the obvious hope would be that Poles and head coach Ben Johnson can do better this time around. Here is one possible projection.
Quantity over quality is the goal of this Chicago Bears 2026 mock draft
Trade: #25 pick and #129 pick to Tennessee for #35 pick, #66 pick and #101 pick
Trade: #35 pick and #239 pick to Houston for #38 pick and #106 pick
2nd Round (via HOU) – Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
From a strictly pass rush perspective, Lawrence has everything you could like. He’s long, athletic, and has that critical explosive first step to give him an edge on tackles. Yet what stands out is his deep toolbox of moves, finding different ways to attack protections and reach the quarterback. The Bears badly need somebody with his particular skills. The key for Dennis Allen will be whether he can live with Lawrence being an average run defender. It’s never been his strength and may not improve much in the pros.
Malachi Lawrence (6’4 250) UCF
+ Arm length (35”) + 89.5 pass rush grade with 40 pressures, 7 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles during the 2025 season + Explosiveness off the snap + 36.0% win rate on true pass sets + Advanced pass rush arsenal + Three-year starter + Fantastic closing… pic.twitter.com/qcZ9GYZgVf
Chicago struck gold with an Oklahoma defensive tackle once upon a time when they took Tommie Harris in 2004. Halton is built much the same way. While undersized for a normal defensive tackle, he has a style that fits what Allen wants at that position. He combines a fast get-off and quickness to shoot gaps, creating havoc in the backfield. He wasn’t always used to the fullest of that ability with the Sooners, but the Bears would immediately know how to maximize it. Allen has plenty of experience with guys like Sheldon Rankins.
2nd Round (via BUF) – Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
Losing Drew Dalman was a tough blow for the offensive line. Poles managed to swing a trade for veteran Garrett Bradbury to stop the bleeding, but that is a temporary fix. It only makes sense that this Bears 2026 mock draft has them draft a center of the future. Hecht presents a skill set that is, in many ways, similar to Dalman’s. He’s not overly big, but he’s a great athlete, intelligent, and probably the most polished technician in the class. There is no question that he can fill the void the former Pro Bowler left behind.
3rd Round (via TEN) – Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
One of the biggest problems with the Bears’ wide receivers last year was their inability to consistently make catches in tight coverage. It led to drives stalling with frustrating frequency. Sarratt is built to solve that problem. While not fast by any means, he is a disciplined route runner who thrives at boxing out defensive backs to make tough catches. He is the guy quarterbacks always look for on 3rd down when you need a play.
3rd Round – Bud Clark, S, TCU
Due to being an older prospect, Clark falls further than he probably should, considering he’s one of the best true ballhawking safeties in the class. Chicago just lost Kevin Byard to free agency. They need to bring somebody in who can patrol the back end of the defense. Clark is excellent at that due to his range and instincts. Better still, he has the toughness to play the run as well.
4th Round (via TEN) – Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Having a slender 188-lb frame makes Muhammad a concern for some teams because they aren’t sure if he can handle the physicality of the NFL. We’ve seen the Bears and Al Harris don’t mind that provided they are great athletes with clear cover talent. Muhammad is great at recognizing routes and has the smooth fluidity and speed to hang with receivers down the field.
Trade: #106 pick to Baltimore for #115 pick and #173 pick
4th Round (via BAL) – Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
At some point, you just have to take the best player available. Run defense was a big problem for the Bears last year, and it showed up a lot through the interior of the defensive line. They badly need a nose tackle who can clog rushing lanes and force offenses outside. Jackson Jr. has the size, power, and length to demand double teams in the middle, provided he can get some of his technical issues cleaned up.
5th Round (via BAL) – Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Adding more speed is a theme for the Bears, and that includes the running back position. Singleton drops down the board due to inconsistent vision and agility, but he is blazing fast and an excellent pass catcher. He also doesn’t shirk his responsibilities in pass protection. That should be plenty for Johnson and new running backs coach Eric Studdesville to work with.
7th Round – Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma
Kanak is a complete mystery. He arrived in college as a quarterback, switched to linebacker, and then switched again to tight end for his final season. Despite that, he still had 533 yards, displaying good athleticism and natural pass-catching potential. He is undersized for his position, so blocking may not be a strength, but he has the type of skills that make for the perfect H-back at the next level.
New York Jets General Manager Darren Mougey and Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn, shake hands as they pose for the press, at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, Monday, January 27, 2025, in Florham Park. Mougey and Glenn were introduced to the press in their new positions for the first time.
We know the Chicago Bears hold the 25th pick in the 1st round. We also know the general manager in charge isn’t afraid to move down if he feels it’s necessary to help his roster. Ryan Poles proved that in 2023 when he bypassed a possible franchise quarterback in favor of stacking more draft capital to help their chances of finding more talent at other positions. It certainly worked out. That trade led to Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright, and several other core pieces.
Now the Bears sit at another interesting point. They’re fresh off a playoff run. Many thought they’d go all in seeking veteran pieces to make a run at a title. Instead, they’ve allowed several notable free agents to walk and left multiple positions with uncertainty. It appears they’re willing to see what happens in the draft. Yet with only seven picks, they may not be able to cover all of them. That is why the possibility of trading down feels plausible. If it were to happen, they’d need a partner, and these teams make the most sense.
These teams should be the targets for the Chicago Bears’ trade-down calls.
#33 overall – New York Jets
With Fernando Mendoza going #1 overall, the Jets are left with a choice. Either they take the next best quarterback available, or they take the best player. Almost every expert worth listening to doesn’t believe another quarterback in this class is worthy of going anywhere close to the top 10. That means the Jets will just take the best player on their board. However, it doesn’t solve the original problem. They still need a quarterback. Geno Smith is not their future. Trading back into the 1st round is their best chance to land the guy they want, and they have more than enough ammunition to get it done. It mitigates the risk of another team jumping over them at the bottom of the 1st round.
#34 overall – Arizona Cardinals
This is the same situation as New York. The Cardinals just released Kyler Murray after a seven-season run that started with so much promise but fizzled out. Now they’re stuck in limbo with Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett as their top options. Two backups. They also aren’t taking a quarterback with the 3rd overall pick. Most people think they will focus on the offensive line, which was a serious liability last year. Once done, they are free to go wherever they want. Their 34th pick is a premium spot in the 2nd round. Any team moving down would likely prefer it as a landing spot. If the right quarterback is on the board, the Chicago Bears should get a call from a Phoenix area code.
#36 overall – Las Vegas Raiders
This one is a little different. Everybody knows the Raiders are taking Mendoza #1 overall. It’s been written in stone from the moment they secured that pick, and he won the national championship. The only thing left to do is turn in the card. However, the job doesn’t end there for Vegas. Their roster still needs a ton of work. That is particularly true on defense. They have no cornerstone player on that side of the ball. It shows up most of all on the defensive line. If one of the top defensive tackles or edge rushers is still on the board, and the Bears are comfortable moving down anyway, it isn’t crazy to think the Raiders might get ahead of Buffalo at #26 to secure somebody who can help get to the quarterback.
#39 overall – Cleveland Browns
This one is tricky. Cleveland won’t take a quarterback at #6 overall. The bigger question is whether they will take one at #24, one spot ahead of the Bears. If they do, that decreases the odds of them wanting to move up from #39, unless they wish to get more help for their offensive line. Remember, they lost most of their starters to free agency this offseason. They’ve been having to rebuild it on the fly. Even if they take a tackle at #6, which many expect them to do, they can and should consider doubling down by coming back up to grab help at guard. That, or they could look to get Shedeur Sanders or whoever their quarterback is, another weapon. Some good wide receivers should still be available at #25.
Oct 19, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears traded up for Leonard Floyd in the 2016 NFL draft. Then-general manager Ryan Pace felt his mixture of size, length, and athleticism was incredibly rare for a budding pass rusher. Things started well. He collected seven sacks as a rookie that year, flashing serious potential. Then things just kind of levelled off. Floyd managed just 11.5 sacks over the next three seasons. Chicago didn’t pick up his 5th-year option and allowed him to leave in free agency in 2020.
To his credit, Floyd didn’t let that derail him. Over the next six seasons, he amassed 51.5 sacks, winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. After all the disappointment of his time in Chicago, he’s carved out a highly respectable career. Now he is a free agent after spending a year with the Falcons in Atlanta. Bleacher Reports seems to think a reunion with the Bears would be in the interests of both parties. Chicago needs pass rush depth. Floyd likely wishes to join a playoff contender.
Pass-rusher Leonard Floyd has entered the “veteran mercenary” stage of his career. However, the 33-year-old remains a disruptive defender who would make plenty of sense for a contender in need of edge help.
This past season, Floyd logged 19 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 19 quarterback pressures, 11 QB hits, and five tackles for loss across 15 games with the Atlanta Falcons…
…The Bears could use an edge-rushing boost, too, after only recording 35 sacks as a team in 2025. Chicago drafted Floyd ninth overall in 2016, and while he never played up to his draft status for the Bears, he’s carved out a very respectable career since.
A reunion would be sensible for the Bears and Floyd.
Leonard Floyd has little to fear about a Chicago return.
None of the people involved in drafting ten years ago are around anymore. Pace was fired in 2022. John Fox was fired in 2018. This coaching staff and front office are entirely new, with zero preconceived notions. They will see a solid veteran pass rusher who can help the defense. Nothing more. Last season was another pretty good one for Floyd. While he only had 3.5 sacks, he did have 36 pressures on 287 rushes. That was significantly fewer than the 373 he had the year before in San Francisco, when he had 10.5 sacks.
Despite his age, Floyd doesn’t seem to have lost much of the burst and quickness that made him so alluring as a 1st round pick all those years ago. The difference this time is he’s far more polished as a pass rusher, boasting a deep toolbox of moves. Would defensive coordinator Dennis Allen go for it? He usually prefers heavier players on the edge. Floyd hovers between 240 and 250 lbs. Can they trust him to set the edge against the run, or would he be purely a designated rusher?
A Floyd decision may wait until after the draft.
Given his age, there isn’t much of a rush from other teams to make a move. They know he will probably be there in May after the draft. Chicago wants to see what they can accomplish along the defensive line there. It is projected to be a strong class with several capable talents. They could solve their edge rusher problem as early as the 1st or 2nd rounds. However, as they learned at running back last year, sometimes the board doesn’t fall their way. If it happens at edge rusher in this draft, they could pivot to Leonard Floyd as a temporary solution.
The story would certainly be fun. A former 1st round pick who never found his footing with his original team gets to return and try to end things on a higher note. Imagine Floyd coming in and giving the Bears defense 7-8 sacks next season. That would be a monumental benefit, especially if Austin Booker can take the next step as well. Much depends on how the market unfolds once the draft is complete. Some prominent names are still out there, including Cameron Jordan and Jadeveon Clowney. Their destinations will determine Floyd’s fate.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles evaluates potential 1st round picks ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.
The Chicago Bears haven’t operated like the same team they were a couple of years ago, at least not in the pre-draft process. For years, it looked like the organization set aside private meetings with prospects they had every intention of drafting, of trying to draft. Those meetings were used to cement their evaluations and ensure they didn’t miss any details. However, last year seemed to take a shift. Of the 22 names confirmed to have met with the Bears privately for a top 30 visit leading up to the draft, none of them were selected. Some were never available, but a large portion were on the board at least once. The Bears passed. This suggests the visits had undergone a shift in purpose. Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar just confirmed it.
He explained to Foster Swift SPORTS TALK that the “30” visits were used on players the team has questions about. Maybe it’s a medical concern they want their own doctors to assess. Perhaps it’s the rumored character issues that the coaches can get a feel for by spending a day together with somebody. Then you have football IQ. Do they understand the game at a fundamental enough level to handle the large caches of information required to play in the league? The Bears use those visits to check if their information was wrong.
Position
Player
School
Pre-Draft Concerns & Weaknesses
RB
Ashton Jeanty
Boise State
Volume load at the college level; potential for “tread on the tire” issues.
RB
Omarion Hampton
North Carolina
Lateral agility; sometimes criticized for being a “straight-line” power runner.
RB
Kaleb Johnson
Iowa
Pass protection skills; needs to improve consistency in blitz pickup.
RB
Brashard Smith
SMU
Smaller frame; questions about his ability to be a true “three-down” back.
WR
Isaiah Bond
Texas
Physicality against press coverage; thin frame may struggle with NFL-level jams.
WR
Tre Harris
Ole Miss
Top-end speed; scouts questioned if he could consistently separate at the next level.
WR
Kyle Williams
Washington St
Route-running polish; relied heavily on athleticism over refined technique.
WR
Jaylin Lane
Virginia Tech
Size limitations; primarily viewed as a slot-only or return specialist.
WR
Dontae Fleming
Tulane
Level of competition and limited production compared to Power 4 peers.
WR
Kelly Akharaiyi
Miss. State
Drops and inconsistent hands; occasionally struggled with concentration.
OT
Will Campbell
LSU
Arm length; measurements suggested a potential required move to Guard.
OT
Josh Conerly Jr.
Oregon
Play strength; needed to add functional mass to handle NFL bull-rushers.
OT
Anthony Belton
NC State
Footwork and speed out of his stance; occasionally sluggish against twitchy rushers.
OL
Jonah Savaiinaea
Arizona
Conditioning and weight management; questions about his ideal pro position.
G
Dylan Fairchild
Georgia
Lateral quickness in space; sometimes struggled when asked to pull or reach.
TE
Jalin Conyers
Texas Tech
In-line blocking; seen more as a “big receiver” than a traditional tight end.
DE
Shemar Stewart
Texas A&M
Production vs. Traits; elite physical tools but lacked high sack numbers in college.
DT
Omarr Norman-Lott
Tennessee
Run defense; undersized for an interior player, leading to anchoring issues.
LB
Nick Martin
Oklahoma State
Coverage instincts; occasionally slow to react to crossing routes in zone.
CB
Jahdae Barron
Texas
Top-end recovery speed; concerns about getting beat deep by burner WRs.
CB
Jordan Hancock
Ohio State
Injury history; durability was a primary focus for teams during the visit.
S
Andrew Mukuba
Texas
Tackling consistency; had a tendency to dive at ankles rather than wrap up.
Dan Roushar speaks to a strategy that good organizations use.
If you look at teams like Baltimore, Detroit, and Seattle, they don’t use top 30 visits on players they end up drafting too often. Instead, it is often their way of helping determine whether they should remove certain names from their boards entirely. For example, Baltimore had a clean shot at both Tyleik Williams and Josh Simmons in the 1st round last year. However, they’d met with both before the draft. Neither was drafted. The Ravens opted to go with Malaki Starks instead, who they did not meet with.
It’s hard to argue with the strategy. All three of those teams have proven excellent at drafting over the past several years. Since the Bears shifted to it last year, their drafting has improved considerably as well. It seems that moving the top 30 visits to a more investigative approach does a great job of clearing the debris. In other words, it trims the fat from a draft board, making it easier to hone in on players with a realistic chance of being good at the NFL level. Dan Roushar clearly believes in it.
Seth McGowan (6’0 223) Kentucky
+ Ideal size for a running back + 9.63 relative athletic score that included a 42.5” vertical jump + Natural hands catcher + Knack for finding pay dirt with 12 rushing touchdowns in 2025 + 6.4 yards per carry as a freshman at Oklahoma + Decisive… pic.twitter.com/LvCEFuA1bt
As of writing this, four names have surfaced who have met or will meet with the team shortly. When looking deeper, each of them comes with some red flags that might warrant the Bears needing a closer look. Running back Seth McGowan spent three months in jail for larceny, which raises questions about his character. Wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling has an undisclosed injury history going back to his time at Oklahoma State. He also hasn’t developed as fast as many thought, raising questions about his grasp of the game.
Center Jager Burton also dealt with injury problems at Kentucky and snapping issues, too. Last but not least, linebacker Jimmy Rolder played four years at Michigan but didn’t become a starter until his senior season. The Bears may wish to see where he is in his development, given so little starting experience. As the list grows over the coming weeks, we should hear more of the same. If the Bears end up drafting anybody from it, that will mean the information they gathered was as good as it gets.
Dec 31, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes tight end Dallen Bentley (88) gestures after a first down against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
You can usually tell certain people have an affinity for certain positions in a draft over time. For Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, that is cornerbacks. He has invested in the position almost every year, often finding quality talent. Head coach Ben Johnson has one too. That is tight ends. Or at least that is what it seems to be. Across his four years as an offensive coordinator and head coach, his teams have invested three draft picks at the position. That includes a 2nd round pick in 2023 (Sam LaPorta) and a 1st round pick in 2025 (Colston Loveland).
Most people came into 2026 assuming the Bears had no interest in adding more at tight end. It seems that might’ve been a mistake. Buzz has now emerged that the team is showing considerable interest in Utah tight end Dallen Bailey. This would suggest they are serious about adding another draft pick to the mix alongside Loveland and Cole Kmet. It isn’t a big surprise considering many experts feel this is one of the deeper tight end classes in the past few years. A former tight ends coach like Johnson could never resist taking advantage.
Source: The #Saints and #Lions have expressed “significant” interest in Utah TE Dallen Bentley.
Bentley met with all 32 teams and also had multiple interviews with the following:
Ben Johnson may have already telegraphed this move.
Don’t forget the Bears had a chance to bring back Durham Smythe, who filled the third tight end slot last season. Instead, he signed with Baltimore for just $2.5 million. That suggests Chicago intentionally chose not to bring him back, leaving that #3 spot wide open. A team only does this because they either have somebody else on the market they want or they wish to go hunting for options they like in the draft. Based on this latest information, it will turn out to be the latter.
Johnson’s interest in Bentley is understandable. The former JUCO transfer didn’t do much for his first couple of years in Utah, serving mostly in blocking roles. That changed last year when he broke out for 640 yards and six touchdowns. He has good size, acceptable speed, and reliable hands. While not a pristine route-runner, he knows how to make tough catches and has a good feel for beating zone coverage. His skill set is similar to Kmet in many ways, which could make him a versatile weapon.
Where there is one, there are more.
Rest assured, Bentley isn’t the only tight end the Bears are looking at. He just happened to be the one who popped up on the radar first. As of right now, the team has seven picks in the draft, but only three on day three. There is a strong possibility that GM Ryan Poles will do some maneuvering to increase that number, particularly in the 5th and 6th rounds. Bentley is projected to go somewhere in that range. Both picks were traded by the Bears in other deals.
Much depends on the preferences of Ben Johnson. He’s the expert here. There is no doubt he prefers players who have a strong blend of pass-catching and blocking capability. Loveland and Kmet both exhibit those traits, though to differing degrees. Bentley has them as well. If having two such tight ends is beneficial, imagine what three could do. Chicago is already among the NFL leaders in 12 personnel (two tight end) usage. Johnson may wish to lean into the rare 13 personnel (three tight end) area.
Sep 20, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; A Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears sit 25th in the 1st round NFL draft order next month. That is the lowest the team has selected since 2011, when they were 29th. This creates a challenge for general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson to find a potential difference-making talent. Last year was a huge success for them, landing tight end Colston Loveland. He looked like a budding star towards the end of the season. Duplicating that success is an obvious goal, but they won’t have a top-10 pick to make it easier.
Most take this to mean the Bears will do one of two things. Either they will take the best player on their board and hope for the best, or they will trade down to accumulate more picks, improving their chances of landing good players. However, there is a possibility they make a true splash by moving up in the 1st round. It hasn’t happened in five years. In fact, Ryan Pace remains the only Bears GM to ever move up in the 1st round. Poles could join him, but it may depend on who is available.
Year
Player
Original Pick
Traded To
Draft Assets Surrendered
2021
Justin Fields (QB)
No. 20
No. 11
2021 1st (No. 20) & 5th; 2022 1st & 4th
2017
Mitchell Trubisky (QB)
No. 3
No. 2
2017 1st (No. 3), 3rd, & 4th; 2018 3rd
2016
Leonard Floyd (LB)
No. 11
No. 9
2016 1st (No. 11) & 4th
Four names likely interest the Chicago Bears.
Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
The Bears are a run-oriented football team under Johnson. Most of his scheme is built around success on the ground and on play-action for explosive shots down the field. One thing the coach has never really had is a true three-down stallion who can do everything. Love is undeniably that guy. He has the size necessary for heavy workloads, can power through tackles, and has breakaway speed to house it if he gets a lane. He’s drawing comparisons to Jahmyr Gibbs and Jamaal Charles, but he’s bigger than both of them. There is no way Johnson wouldn’t leap at the chance to add a stud like that to the Bears’ backfield.
David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
The last time the Bears drafted a true difference-making pass rusher was probably Trace Armstrong in 1989. Since then, it has been a parade of disappointment. They badly need somebody explosive enough to complement Montez Sweat. Nobody embodies that better than Bailey. He has a lightning-quick first step, a red-hot motor, excellent closing speed, and enough power to keep offensive tackles honest. After failing to land that type of pass rusher in free agency and coming up short on Maxx Crosby, this would be the move that could give the defense the boost it needs. Bailey is a foundational talent.
Sonny Styles run defense. Block destruction, lateral movement, instincts, and elite tackling form pic.twitter.com/kzQ322fsBW
Linebackers may not be a premium position, but there are certain specimens that just transcend positional value. Brian Urlacher was one. Luke Kuechley was another. Styles comes across as that ultra-rare breed. He is a freakish athlete, boasting size and speed for days. His instincts and discipline are both good and he’s one of the best tacklers at his position in this class. The Chicago Bears have searched for that next Urlacher for the past 14 years. Styles is the closest to that category in a long time. If he somehow drops into range, the team has plenty of good reasons to go get him.
Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
People aren’t ready to believe the Bears would draft a receiver early, let alone trading up in the 1st round. However, it’s important to remember who is in charge. Johnson calls the shots, and if he wants another weapon, he’ll get it. The Bears traded D.J. Moore, leaving their receiving corps in an uncertain spot. Somebody like Cooper Jr. is exactly what the head coach would love. He’s tough, strong, a solid route-runner, and at his most dangerous after the catch. He’s earned multiple comparisons to Deebo Samuel, who would’ve been Johnson’s idea receiver in another life. Nobody is better equipped to fill that Moore void than the Indiana standout.
Oct 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (29) leaps after tackling New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears experienced far more upheaval at cornerback last season than anybody expected. Jaylon Johnson was injured before training camp even began, and that lingered for months. Kyler Gordon suffered multiple injuries before and during the season as well, playing only sporadically for most of the year. Then you have Tyrique Stevenson. Things at least seemed stable with him at the beginning, but somewhere along the way, the former 2nd round pick was benched. His playing time was drastically cut down despite Johnson and Gordon never being 100%.
People couldn’t figure out why. Ability wasn’t the problem. Stevenson’s talent felt like a good fit for Dennis Allen’s defense. It wasn’t health. He never popped up much on the injury report. The only possibility left was attitude problems. Coaches weren’t happy with his effort and/or work ethic and decided to give his snaps to those willing to earn them.
It must’ve been a hard lesson because Stevenson released a video with a message. He admitted that the past two years were on him, but he was out for blood this year. Not just because he’s out to prove himself, mind you. He has a son now, and it’s time to set an example.
"This s*** here about to be dangerous. I'm telling you. I'm coming back for everything. The last 2 yrs, I put that on me. This yr, this s*** for my son. I promise you. I promise you." – #Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson #DaBearspic.twitter.com/zwPpqdw2MH
Tyrique Stevenson being a motivated father is significant.
Don’t let anybody fool you. Having a child tends to change your entire perspective on life. It makes you think about legacy and wanting to set a good example for your son or daughter. There is also the aspect of providing for them. Remember, Stevenson is in the last year of his rookie contract. This is the best and last chance he has to cash in for a big payday next offseason. Plenty of prominent athletes saw their careers blossom after having a kid. Fred VanVleet in the NBA is one example. He had a child during the Toronto Raptors’ championship run in 2019. Kurt Warner evolved from backup quarterback to MVP upon becoming an adoptive father to an autistic son.
This is where Stevenson has ended up. He’s had some really good stretches since his rookie year in 2023. Sadly, those are overshadowed by some ugly issues along the way. He had really bad coverage busts early in his career, highlighting his struggles in zone coverage. Then there was the infamous Hail Mary fiasco in Washington two years ago, where he was jawing at fans while the final play was in progress. It almost happened again in January against the Rams before he was saved by Kevin Byard.
Stevenson won’t be handed anything.
It is clear the Bears aren’t sold on him at this point. Defensive backs coach Al Harris has considerable sway on who should or shouldn’t get playing time. Allen has no reason to doubt him, given his track record. That means Tyrique Stevenson was benched on his authority. So if there is one person the cornerback must win over, it is Harris. That means showing up to every practice in shape and motivated. No moaning and groaning. Arrive every day with a smile and eager to work. By the look of things, Stevenson has reached that point.
He certainly has the motivation that’s been missing. A lot of money is on the line, as is his son’s future. If this helps Stevenson finally transform into the player he could be, that is great for the Bears. Having three good cornerbacks is often the difference between a regular defense and a great one. Don’t expect the organization to just hand him the job, though. They already plan to give former 5th round pick Zah Frazier a real shot, and will most likely add more help in the draft. He’d better be prepared to compete.
