It was so close. One more completion would’ve put the Chicago Bears in field goal range and probably sent them to the NFC Championship. Despite the disappointing finish to that divisional game against the Rams, many felt it was the opening of an opportunity for the organization. They finally have a quarterback and head coach combination that feels legitimate. Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson worked magic together. The next obvious step is fortifying the roster around them and going for it all in 2026.

Right?

You wouldn’t have guessed from how they approached the start of the offseason. D.J. Moore was traded. Tremaine Edmunds was cut. Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Nahshon Wright, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson were all allowed to leave in free agency. A huge swath of the roster that had led them to the playoffs was gone. Though the Bears did add safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush in free agency, the feeling is the team didn’t take advantage of an opportunity to be more aggressive. Did they screw up?

Not according to Bill Barnwell of ESPN. In surveying 500 free agents between 2013 and 2022, he reached a stunning conclusion about free agency in general.

How often do top free agents actually pan out? Not as often as teams would like. The average grade for these 500 free agents landed at 2.26 — closer to disappointing than average. Most players were either below average or lived up to expectations, but there were far more utter disasters than stunning breakouts, which makes sense; if a player’s already being paid market value or better to start, it’s going to be easier for them to come up short via injury or inconsistency than exceed expectations to play at a Pro Bowl-or-better level.

The Chicago Bears have finally learned a vital lesson.

Free agency is a scam. Yes, there are instances when signings exceed expectations, but it’s like hitting the jackpot on a slot machine. It doesn’t happen often enough to justify constantly throwing coins into it. Yet that is what the Bears have done for the past couple of decades. Their history is littered with some ugly contracts they handed out to players who, in hindsight, had no business receiving them.

This is why teams that spend regularly in free agency often don’t experience sustained success. It is because the money they’re paying these players is almost always too much to justify the return they get. Smart teams only spend occasionally and focus more on drafting and developing their talent. The Chicago Bears used to be good at this approach, but seemed to lose their way at some point. To his credit, general manager Ryan Poles has worked hard to avoid big spending. This year just felt like the most blatant attempt yet.

The Bears are betting on themselves.

That is to say, they’re putting the responsibility on the scouting department to evaluate good draft prospects and then betting on the coaching staff to develop them properly. The last time it felt like things were aligned on this was probably the mid-2000s, with Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo. Yet even they eventually bowed to the free agency monster. Poles and Johnson seem to share the same philosophy. They’re not interested in a quick burst of success. They want to win consistently.

History says that is only possible by constantly feeding your roster with a steady stream of young talent. The Chicago Bears have finally been doing that for the past few years. There was a period between 2019 and 2022 when they used only one 1st-round pick due to the Khalil Mack and Justin Fields trades. Now they have Darnell Wright, Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and Colston Loveland forming a promising foundation for this team. The next step will arrive on April 23rd.

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.

2nd Round – Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

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.

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.

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.

Best Fits: Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers

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.

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.

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.

This should change how we view the Bears’ visits.

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.