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Roster Watch: Can Tyson Miller Steal A White Sox Bullpen Spot?

By
Craig Rowland
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Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Chicago Cubs pitcher Tyson Miller (49) throws a pitch against the Hanshin Tigers during the fourth inning at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

This Spring Training is a bit different from the last few years, as there is a bit more set in stone on the 26-man roster for the White Sox. However, there are certainly still some key positional battles. For the first time in what seems like a very a long time, there aren’t roster battles at practically every position, as the White Sox likely have their starting lineup locked up. However, there are still a few backup spots in the infield and outfield up for grabs, as well as a few spots in the bullpen.

As we get closer to the season starting, we will look at each fringe roster player and their chances to make the team out of Spring Training. Relief pitcher Tyson Miller is the next player we will take a look at.

Miller was signed as a non-roster invitee back in January after a few successful major league seasons. One of his most successful seasons came for the crosstown rival Chicago Cubs. In 2024 between the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs, Miller posted a stellar 2.32 ERA and a phenomenal .8 WHIP. He also struck out 54 batters in 62 innings, while walking just 11 batters. These are all-star level numbers out of the bullpen.

Unfortunately for Miller, he was hurt for most of the 2025 season. He threw just 37 innings for the Iowa Cubs, where he had a 6 ERA. Miller has just 93 major league innings under his belt and has bounced around a few teams, but he could potentially be one of the better White Sox relievers with another extended look.

According to Baseball Reference’s projections for Miller, they predict he will throw 31 innings of 3.70 ERA baseball with a 1.1 WHIP. This would be a huge addition to the bullpen, as that would have been one of the better performances out of the bullpen in the last few years.

So far Miller has looked good in camp, as he has posted two scoreless appearances. In those two innings, he’s given up one hit and struck out one batter. Overall, he looks healthy and could be a legitimate piece in the White Sox bullpen this season. However, unlike most years, the bullpen doesn’t have a ton of open spots.

The White Sox have arguably 5 to 6 bullpen spots already sent in stone, leaving just 2 to 3 spots up for grabs. Miller can certainly win a spot out of Spring Training, but it may take all the way up until the end of Spring Training to know for sure.

Miller has had good production in the major leagues as recent as 2024, so him having another good season wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. Out of all the non-roster bullpen position players, he may have the best chance to win a spot. I give him about a 60% chance of securing a spot, with that potentially going higher if he continues to put up zeros when he pitches.

If he doesn’t make the team, he could start the season in AAA and make his way up to Chicago if there is an injury. Miller is a very interesting player and I certainly would like to see him break camp with the team.

Two Reasons Chicago’s Latest Outing Displayed The Perfect Blueprint

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Feb 24, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) hugs Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) after a game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Last night, Coby White made his return to Chicago after being traded 21 days ago. He was the longest-tured Bull on the roster prior to their seven-trade, chaos-filled deadline week. As Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times joked, White heading to Charlotte was not too discouraging for the former Tar Heel guard, and could’ve turned out much worse than playing for his hometown Hornets. The Bulls were looking to snap their nine-game losing streak and grab their first win in February. Despite Matas Buzelis dropping a career-best 32 points on 13-of-19, including 6-of-11 from three-point land, the rest of the group was an abysmal 34.9% from the field as they fell to 0-10 this month. Here’s why last night’s story goes beyond the final score, and how it was the best-case scenario for the organization.

Let Matas Buzelis Cook

Last night’s game will be referred back to several times as the game where Buzelis arrived. This was the 21st time that he’s scored 20 or more points, 16 of them coming this season. It marked the second time he’s eclipsed the 30 mark, and both nights featured over 66% from the floor and five or more three-pointers. The top goal for the remainder of the season should be Buzelis’s development, specifically his ability to score. Josh Giddey is a known commodity; his triple-double averages while healthy have proven his value and what he’ll be able to produce as the Bulls progress. Outside of Tre Jones and Zach Collins, who have both also shown flashes of their capabilities as future products, Buzelis is the primary unknown commodity that’ll be a massive determining factor in whether or not the franchise is able to compete for NBA titles in the next several years. With 33 minutes played, 19 shots attempted, and the freedom to operate without expectation of winning the game made for a perfect display of what Buzelis’s remainder of the 2025-26 campaign should be.

Sliding Closer To Lottery Luck

Chicago fans truly did receive precisely what they have asked for over the last decade. This month, Arturas Karnisovas jumped headfirst into a full rebuild. While the return might’ve been embarrassing compared to what they would have netted if the same players were traded at their peak value over the last handful of years, the Bulls still hit the reset button. Karnisovas admitted that they were stuck in the middle, embraced taking a step back to take a larger one forward in the future, and committed to chasing better draft odds than a fourth-consecutive NBA Play-In tournament bid. Having gone 1-13 over their last 14 outings, including 0-10 this month, they’re making significant strides. How far down the ranks can Chicago continue to slide over the next 23 games?

Down the final stretch, the best results for the franchise’s future will be seeing Buzelis continue to be given the freedom to experiment and showcase his developing offensive skill, and the Bulls continue to slide down the standings and toward a better draft slot. Priming for an offseason with an abundance of cap space and draft capital, can Chicago add a top-ten pick to the mix?

Word Has Leaked On Arizona’s Possible Offer For Tyson Bagent — Why It’s Not Enough

By
Erik Lambert
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tyson bagent
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) gestures against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2026 field of quarterback options looks bleak this year. Malik Willis is considered the cream of the free agent crop after some strong starts in Green Bay. However, it’ll probably cost $30 million per year to land him. Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco are long past their primes. Daniel Jones is recovering from a season-ending injury. Worse still, the upcoming NFL draft isn’t much better. Outside of Fernando Mendoza, no other QB is considered worth a 1st round pick at this point. In years like this, you often see some swings on unexpected names. Enter Tyson Bagent.

Chicago’s backup quarterback became the subject of trade rumors last week when it was reported that the Arizona Cardinals expressed interest. Bears general manager Ryan Poles confirmed he’d been getting calls about the former undrafted free agent. It seems his progress over the past couple of seasons has caught the eyes of coaches around the league. Some are willing to see if he has what it takes to start. According to Bo Brack and Johnny Venerable of PHNX Cardinals, an offer has leaked.

It would likely be a 4th or 5th rounder in 2027 that would turn into a 3rd, depending on how many games Bagent started.

That won’t be enough to pry Tyson Bagent from Chicago.

Some people might be shocked by this. Remember, the Bears signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Trading him for an actual draft pick would be an enormous business victory for the organization. After all, Bagent won’t be overtaking Caleb Williams, who cemented his hold on the starting job last season with his single-season passing record and playoff run. Besides, one must remember the Ben Johnson factor. Chicago’s head coach hasn’t been subtle about his admiration for Bagent. He openly stated at the combine that he views the 25-year-old as one of the top 32 quarterbacks in the league. In other words, he’s a starter who happens to be the backup.

Why would Johnson willingly give that up for a minor pick?

One must keep in mind that the Bears are under no pressure here. Bagent is under contract for two more seasons at a reasonable rate. It’s other teams that need to take advantage of that. Do you pay Willis $30 million or take a gamble on Bagent for $4.75 million? It is an interesting discussion to have. With one, you lock into a potentially dangerous contract. With the other, you have massive financial flexibility, but give up a high draft choice.

The Bears can sit on Bagent until a team is desperate.

That isn’t likely to happen until at least after the primary wave of free agency. When the dust settles, several teams will realize their best course of action will be either to take a flier in the draft or try the trade market. The Bears could even wait it out until after the draft. If there are still a team or two out there who haven’t found a desirable solution, they may circle back to Tyson Bagent and, this time, be willing to give up compensation that might satisfy Johnson.

We’re likely talking about a 2nd round pick.

The Bears hold all the cards in this situation. They are under zero pressure to trade Bagent. He’s on a modest contract for two more years and in no hurry to leave the organization. The coaches love him, as do teammates. If you think he’s starter material, then be prepared to pony up the resources required to get him. A future Day 3 pick with incentives attached won’t cut it.

Cubs Opening Day Roster Battle Just Got A Lot More Interesting

By
Aldo Soto
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Feb 22, 2026; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Dylan Carlson (5) hits against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Craig Counsell dropped a mini bombshell on Wednesday, when he announced that veteran right-handed hitter Tyler Austin underwent knee surgery earlier this week and will be out of action for months. Austin, who signed a one-year, free agent deal with the Cubs this past offseason, had a solid chance to make the Opening Day roster, but that spring training competition just got a lot more interesting.

Austin put up good power numbers during his six seasons playing in the NPB in Japan after he spent the first four years of his pro career in MLB with the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers. The right-handed slugger was projected to be the back up at first base, getting some plate appearances against left-handed pitchers and potentially some time filling in for Ian Happ in left field.

Although Austin didn’t have one of the bench spots locked down, Counsell did say on Wednesday that Austin did have the inside track to be on the Opening Day roster compared to the other players that were also brought into spring training to compete for a bench role. Austin will now be recovering from patellar tendon debridement, which certainly opens the path for another veteran to win a job out of spring training.

Counsell spoke to reporters and addressed what the absence of Austin meant for the remainder of spring training. Via Marquee Sports Network.

“The ripple effect, it’s an opportunity for others essentially, yeah. [Austin] I would say had an inside track, so it’s an option that’s off the table right now, so it opens up opportunity for others.”

The Cubs will carry 13 position players on their 26-man roster. Here’s a quick projection of their starting nine, which will leave us with the players left competing for those final couple bench spots.

Projected Starting Lineup
Michael Busch
Nico Hoerner
Alex Bregman
Seiya Suzuki
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Ian Happ
Carson Kelly
Moises Ballesteros
Dansby Swanson

Opening Day Roster Battle

That leaves two open bench spots because Miguel Amaya and Matt Shaw are slotted into the other two. Now that Austin is out of the picture the Opening Day roster battle comes down to the following players.

Michael Conforto
Dylan Carlson
Chas McCormick
Kevin Alcantara
Justin Dean
Owen Miller
Scott Kingery

The biggest winner following the knee surgery to Austin might just be the newly signed veteran Michael Conforto. He has a much better opportunity to earn a roster spot as Conforto can provide a solid left-handed bat option off the bench, which the Cubs currently do not have. Meanwhile, Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick may end up going head-to-head to be the team’s fourth outfielder as both guys have experience in center field.

The Cubs probably still want Kevin Alcantara to develop more in Triple-A, so he’ll most likely begin the year getting every-day at-bats in Iowa, while Justin Dean is also a depth option in the minors. I don’t really see Scott Kingery fitting in, but Owen Miller could have a decent shot because of his defensive versatility. Miller has played all over the infield and has even logged some games in the outfield throughout his MLB career. He also has a connection with Counsell in Milwaukee.

Who do you have taking the final two bench spots on the Opening Day roster? Right now I’m leaning toward Conforto and Carlson.

Pete Crow-Armstrong Won’t Stop Talking About His Hatred for Dodgers Fans

By
Aldo Soto
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Oh, this wasn’t a bit and he intentionally targeted Dodgers fans when he was sharing his praise of how passionate Cubs fans are. Pete Crow-Armstrong double down on his hatred for Dodgers fans a few days after his explosive quotes from a Chicago Magazine created havoc around the baseball world.

The Cubs center fielder appeared on Foul Territory on Wednesday and of course they brought up his quote that bashed Dodgers fans for not caring as much about baseball compared to Cubs fans. Crow-Armstrong made sure to clarify a major point. This had nothing to do with Dodgers players. This was all about him truly not liking Dodgers fans.

And this wasn’t a light-hearted double down either. Crow-Armstrong was fairly serious as he further explained his feelings about Dodgers fans.

“I grew up going to Dodgers games when they weren’t always good. When they had Mannywood pop up, but they go in phases. All fans fight, but I remember putting the Giants fan in a coma. That stuck with me as a kid. Just little things, sitting in the stands nasty stuff goes on. I didn’t always experience that at other ballparks. But like I said, that has nothing to do with who is actually on the field for them. I love playing against them. I love what they’re doing, they’re creating a dynasty, but I want to take them down too.”

A.J. Pierzynski was there in-person, interviewing Crow-Armstrong and he had similar thoughts as Dodgers analyst Jerry Hairston Jr., who loved Crow-Armstrong’s intensity and the drama he’s bringing to Cubs vs. Dodgers.

In case you are unfamiliar with the specific story that Crow-Armstrong referenced about the Giants fan who was beaten into a coma at the parking lot of Dodgers Stadium, the incident happened in 2011. The attack by two Dodgers fans left Giants fan Bryan Stow brain damaged and disabled.

Of course there are bad people within every single fan base in the world. But as someone who grew up in the LA area and went to Dodgers game and had the ability to go to games across the league, Crow-Armstrong has firsthand experience of what it’s like going to Dodgers games.

To simply blast him and push his views aside because he’s on the Cubs and Cubs fans can sometimes become easy targets, doesn’t mean Pete Crow-Armstrong is wrong about the Dodgers fans he’s seen.

Chicago Bears 2026 NFL Scouting Combine Meetings Tracker

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears arrived in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL scouting combine and have gotten straight to work. Already, they’ve met with several players in advance of on-field drills starting on Thursday. This tracker will help keep fans informed about who they’ve met with, perhaps offering an idea of which direction the team might be leaning toward early in the draft this April.

Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)

A big, powerful defensive tackle who is known for eating double teams and plugging gaps across the middle. He has more lower-body explosiveness than he gets credit for. Perhaps some untapped pass rush potential.

Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)

He will be knocked for being only 6’1″, but Rodriguez is an electric player with the range to play sideline-to-sideline and an uncanny nose for the football. Has high leadership qualities as well.

Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)

If Dennis Allen wants a linebacker who can get after the quarterback, Hill is that guy. He had 17 sacks in college, is a great athlete, and plays with a constant attacking mentality.

The Chicago Bears’ pattern is abundantly clear already

Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)

Georgia produces tough, aggressive defensive linemen every year. Miller is no exception. He’s not overly big, but he’s violent, explosive, and much stronger than his frame suggests.

Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)

Big, burly defensive end with good length and plenty of power. Really improved his polish in 2025, living in the opposing backfield, and carried it over into a dominant Senior Bowl.

Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)

Easily one of the most explosive rushers in the class. While he’s on the smaller side for edge players, he is so fast, agile, and flexible that blocking him is like trying to catch a greased pig.

Dontay Corleone (DT, Cincinnati)

The Chicago Bears need better run defense from their front line, especially with Andrew Billings out. Corleone is a squat 6’0″ but 335 lbs, powerful from top to bottom, and has the balance to maintain his feet.

Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)

Miami’s national championship run doesn’t happen without him. Mesidor is a violent, relentless, and powerful rusher who had 17.5 sacks last season. He turns 25 years old this year.

T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)

A strong defensive end with good length and an understanding of how to use both. His pass rush is solid and he plays the run tough. A bit predictable as a rusher.

Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)

A massive defensive tackle with power for days. Can hold the point of attack against the run and has a nasty bull rush. Much depends on a team’s priorities between the two.

Marcus Allen (CB, North Carolina)

Your classic long and physical corner who gets his hands on the football a lot. However, he has limited speed and isn’t the most fluid player for his position.

Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)

Often compared to Nahshon Wright, which is fair. He’s long, athletic, and fast with a great nose for the ball. Unfortunately, he’s also vulnerable to savvier router runners.

Devin Moore (CB, Florida)

A great athlete with ideal size who performs at his best in press coverage. He triggers downhill well, but has been haunted by injuries over the past three seasons.

Julian Neal (CB, Arkansas)

A stick cornerback who has the size and length to bother wide receivers all day. He’s also a capable tackler in space. Also lacks eye discipline and true deep speed.

Chuck Demmings (CB, Stephen F. Austin State)

There are questions about his overall athleticism and speed overall, but he did have nine interceptions in college, demonstrating a knack for stealing the ball.

Bishop Fitzgerald (S, USC)

Undersized for a safety at 5’10”, that didn’t seem to stop him from racking up 10 interceptions in three seasons. He is your classic robber safety who partrols the back end of a defense.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)

Think about if Charles Tillman played safety. That is McNeil-Warren. He’s tough, physical, and is uniquely gifted at forcing turnovers. Just leave him out of situations where he has to cover speed.

Keonte Scott (CB, Miami)

Highly physical cornerback with good size who isn’t afraid to get dirty along the line of scrimmage. Tough as they come, but questionable ball skills.

Anthony Lucas (EDGE, USC)

He has the size and length you look for in NFL defensive ends, and has the versatility to move inside. Unfortunately, his inconsistency has led to disappointing production.

Cole Payton (QB, North Dakota State)

Legitimate dual-threat QB with dangerous legs and good size. His mechanics are a mess, and the arm strength is average at best. However, he demonstrates good touch at all levels. Needs lots of grooming.

Behren Morton (QB, Texas Tech)

Tough as nails competitor who plays a professional style from the pocket. He has good feet and delivers the ball with accuracy. Has a lengthy injury history and is undersized.

Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama)

Your classic H-back. He’s too small for a tight end, but he blocks really well and is a credible threat as a receiver that you can move around to create matchups.

Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR, Missouri)

Your classic slot receiver: undersized but quick and fast with good hands. His route-running needs work. He’d be a natural fit in Johnson’s slot-first passing attack.

Tremaine Edmunds And The Bears Took First Step Towards A Divorce — Here’s What It Means

By
Erik Lambert
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tremaine edmunds
Oct 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) reacts after sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (not pictured) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

It was always common knowledge that the Chicago Bears would be making some difficult decisions regarding the salary cap. They’re $10 million in the red and will need to do some serious work to regain some flexibility. One of their options is to unload some of their larger contracts. Almost from the start, everybody pointed to linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. The Bears gain $15 million by moving him out. The only question was if they’d pull the trigger, already having questions at linebacker.

We got the answer to that question when Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune revealed on Twitter that the team has granted Edmunds and his agent permission to seek a trade elsewhere. This is typically what happens when two parties are preparing for a divorce. If the player can find a trade destination, the team will oblige by working out a deal. If nothing materializes, then it’s likely Edmunds will be cut before the start of the new league year on March 11th. While not a surprise, it is an important development.

Losing Tremaine Edmunds will muddle the Bears’ plans.

They already have several questions at linebacker. T.J. Edwards battled several injuries last season. Noah Sewell and D’Marco Jackson are both free agents. The team doesn’t have any clear pillar to build around. Will they get any draft compensation for him? It’s possible. The free agent market isn’t great. Edmunds is still in his prime and productive when healthy. If a team really wants him and does want to risk losing him to another team, flipping a late round pick to the Bears would make sense.

The initial assumption is that Chicago will look to bring Jackson back. He played really well when given opportunities after Edwards and Edmunds went down with injuries. Retaining him shouldn’t be overly expensive. He knows the defense and is still young. It would be a logical first step in the retooling of the position. From there, it becomes about whether they dabble in free agency for some help. Demario Davis will be available. He knows Allen’s defense better than most.

More likely this Edmunds situation pushes linebacker up the list of draft needs.

The Bears picked a good year to do this.

While it’s not the deepest position in the 2026 draft, early signs indicate there is a very talented crop of linebackers at the top. Names like Sonny Styles, Anthony Hill Jr., Jacob Rodriguez, and Josiah Trotter have drawn rave reviews from draft experts. All have earned comparisons to some of the best linebackers in the NFL. With the Bears picking 25th overall, it’s not crazy to think a linebacker will be their best option on the board. Knowing Tremaine Edmunds is on his way out, this might be the perfect opportunity to strike.

Head coach Ben Johnson has said he’s not interested in focusing on needs. He and GM Ryan Poles want to draft good football players. They’ll figure out the rest later. That is a great philosophy to have, which is why linebacker is very much in play for the 1st round. The Bears have said they’re focused on adding more team speed. Expect that to be a primary focus with whoever they target. Those 40 times at the scouting combine will be a significant hint.

Even Dodgers Analysts Are Praising Pete Crow-Armstrong for His Controversial Comments

By
Aldo Soto
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Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong caused an uproar after he was featured in Chicago Magazine this week. The in-depth look at the new rising star in Chicago created a storm around MLB as Crow-Armstrong took a direct shot at Los Angeles Dodgers fans as he hyped up his own fan base by comparison. The 23-year-old has never been afraid to share his opinion, stir up emotions on and off the field, and even Crow-Armstrong’s latest controversial comments were praised by a Dodgers analyst.

Cubs fans love him and even for everyone else who hates him there is no denying that Crow-Armstrong is entertaining. He’s also bringing back a passion to the game that’s been missing for a long time. In this day and age where fans get perplexed by jaw-dropping contracts it could be easy to forget that these multi-millionaire athletes do in fact care about winning.

The Cubs center fielder knows he’ll eventually get paid, but he fired up Cubs fans by bringing back a World Series winning mentality.

Crow-Armstrong is also bringing back public shit-talking.

The gold glove center fielder said that unlike Cubs fans, who deeply care about the team, Dodgers fans just go to the game to take pictures. Obviously there was a huge blowback on social media as other fans turned it around and hammered the stereotype that people who go to Wrigley Field are tourists.

Yet, who doesn’t like their star players mixing it up from time to time? This creates a real feel that Pete not only loves Cubs fans, but despises fans who go to Dodger Stadium in LA. And by the way, everyone essentially says the same thing about LA fans, so Pete isn’t lying.

This doesn’t have to be the WWE and feuds don’t have to be manufactured, but there’s no question that the Dodgers are new Evil Empire. They’re the bad guys who everyone wants to beat and adding fuel to that fire is great.

Dodgers analyst Jerry Hairston Jr. praised Crow-Armstrong for upping the drama between the Cubs and Dodgers.

Via SportsNet LA.

“I love the drama. I love that he’s stirring the pot. This is what we need in this sport!

You Want drama and pca is providing that drama. It’s going to be must-see tv.”

Here’s the full clip of Hairston Jr. firing back at Crow-Armstrong.

Bingo. This is an entertainment product and Pete Crow-Armstrong is a master of it.

We echoed those thoughts and dove more into the chaos that PCA created this week on the latest Pinwheels And Ivy.

Two Key Ryan Poles Comments Signal The Bears’ Plans On Defense — And Why It’s Smart

By
Erik Lambert
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ryan poles
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles spoke to the media for the first time since the beginning of January on Tuesday. The scouting combine is about to begin and the team has lots of work to do in collecting information, both through watching drills and conducting player interviews. While he covered a wide range of topics from D.J. Moore‘s trade status to Caleb Williams’ progress, the overarching theme stayed the same. Everybody wants to know what he has planned to fix the defense.

The unit finished 29th in the NFL last season. If not for leading the league in takeaways, the criticism would’ve been far worse from fans and media. Poles knows he has to bring that side of the ball up to match the team’s offense. What makes it so challenging is that every position group needs help. The Bears have no starting safeties under contract. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds will likely be cut for cap reasons, and the defensive line needs help across the board. What does Poles have planned?

While he didn’t get into specifics, the Bears GM did say he’s focused on one thing: speed.

Ryan Poles saw his team routinely gashed by faster offenses.

Detroit, Cincinnati, and San Francisco all put 40+ points on them without breaking a sweat. Even the Baltimore Ravens, without Lamar Jackson, hung 30 on them. Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers gashed them over and over in every matchup between the two teams. It makes sense that Poles would want to add more explosiveness to the defense. There were already signs of it trending in that direction last year when the Bears drafted Ruben Hyppolite in the 4th round. He was one of the fastest linebackers in the draft.

This means the upcoming 40-yard dash at the combine could play a pivotal role in shaping the Bears’ board. They will focus heavily on the players who post great times, no doubt making sure that speed also shows up on tape. Leaning on takeaways can’t be how this team does its business, not if they want to win a championship. However, the plans don’t stop there. Ryan Poles had a noteworthy comment about the structure of the 2026 draft class, teasing what he may have planned for the 1st round.

Poles has a history of leaning into the deeper positions in a draft.

Last year was a perfect example. Running back was considered the second deepest position in the 2025 class. The Bears didn’t draft one until the 7th round, and Kyle Monangai still became a solid contributor as a rookie. If Poles is confident a group is deep, he may wait to pluck from it until later rounds and focus on the thinner groups early. That comment about defensive tackle and edge rusher makes those intentions clear. If you look at the list of top 100 prospects in the 2026 class, there are seven defensive tackles and 13 edge rushers.

Rank PlayerPositionCollegeKey Traits/Notes
3Arvell ReeseEDGEOhio StateExplosive, physical defender with elite closing speed.
4David BaileyEDGETexas TechUltra-explosive; led nation with 20.2% pressure rate in 2025.
5Rueben Bain Jr.EDGEMiamiPowerful, technical rusher widely seen as a top-10 lock.
16Peter WoodsDTClemsonQuintessential 3-technique with dominant pass-rush upside.
17Keldric FaulkEDGEAuburnVersatile 6’6″ hybrid with massive developmental upside.
21Akheem MesidorEDGEMiamiViolent hands and high motor; recorded 12.5 sacks in 2025.
22Kayden McDonaldDTOhio StatePremier space-eating run defender with improving pass-rush polish.
26Caleb BanksDTFloridaMassive (6’6″, 330 lbs) and athletic interior presence.
31Cashius HowellEDGETexas A&MSpeed rusher with 11.5 sacks in the SEC during the 2025 season.
35T.J. ParkerEDGEClemsonHigh-floor run defender who posted 11 sacks in 2024.
40Zion YoungEDGEMissouriLong, powerful rusher who excelled during the Senior Bowl.
47Gabe JacasEDGEIllinoisProductive speed rusher with 19 sacks over his last two seasons.
51Christen MillerDTGeorgiaTwitchy interior player effective at two-gapping in run defense.
55Darrell Jackson Jr.DTFlorida StateMassive 6’5″, 340-lb interior force with elite length.
61LT OvertonEDGE/DLAlabamaHighly versatile; can defend the edge or reduce inside.
73Romello HeightEDGETexas TechAthletic edge with consistent disruption metrics.
79Joshua JosephsEDGETennesseeFeatures “pterodactyl” wingspan and elite length at 6’3″.
85Rayshaun BennyDTMichiganHigh-mass interior player with 3-4 defensive end versatility.
91Zane DurantDTPenn StateRenowned for weight-room strength; developing pass-rush impact.
97Dani Dennis-SuttonEDGEPenn StateConsistent performer frequently appearing on NFL top 100 boards.

So look at it this way. What odds are better? Taking the best edge rusher with the 25th pick and hoping a solid defensive tackle drops to them in the 2nd round, or taking the best defensive tackle immediately and circling back to edge rusher in the 2nd? The latter is the far sounder strategy. Chicago needs both a nose tackle and an interior pass rusher. They are virtually guaranteed to land one of those in the 1st round. Those odds drop considerably after that. While it is impossible to predict how the first 24 picks go, it feels like Poles’ plan is to address the interior first and find that edge rush help later.

Why Ben Johnson Views The Bears’ 2025 Season As A Failure

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

By almost any metric, the Chicago Bears‘ 2025 season was a huge success. This is a team that went 5-12 in 2024. They were the laughingstock of the NFL thanks to a 10-game losing streak and an absurd number of controversies surrounding their coaching staff. Ben Johnson arrived that January with a clear mission in mind. He aimed to win immediately. While people applauded the ambition, most expected the Bears to hover around eight wins. You can imagine their shock when they, instead, went 11-6, won the division, and beat the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round.

It was one of the most successful single-season turnarounds in franchise history. As far as Coach Johnson is concerned, it was a failure. He didn’t mince words about it during his press conference at the scouting combine on Tuesday. His goal remains one thing and one thing only: win the Super Bowl. By failing to achieve that last season, it was nothing more than a grim reminder that both he and the Bears weren’t good enough. That is why he aims to push even harder this year.

“We fell short of our ultimate goal, which was to win the championship. And so the biggest thing is we don’t confuse the postseason victory or exceeding expectations from outside of the building, that it’s OK to be complacent. It’s not. It’s not. We didn’t do enough. And so we’ve got to do more. We’ve got to give more than what we gave a year ago – coaching staff, players, everyone in that building. We have to do a little bit more. And so when you look at it that way, yeah, we are back to ground zero, and we’ve got to continue to build on this thing.”

Ben Johnson aims to join an exclusive club in 2026.

In case it wasn’t already clear, nothing short of a Lombardi trophy will suffice this season. He intends to whip this team into shape, seeking as much talent as possible to fortify the roster. Once done, he’ll have everybody sharp in training camp, preparing to renew the chase in September. He’s not dumb. The Bears face a much tougher schedule this time around. They won’t sneak up on teams like before. If he wants the crown, he’ll have to earn it. Only eight head coaches in all of NFL history have won a championship in their second season on the job.

Coach TeamSuper BowlSeason
Tom FloresOakland RaidersXV1980
Joe GibbsWashington RedskinsXVII1982
Barry SwitzerDallas CowboysXXX1995
Brian BillickBaltimore RavensXXXV2000
Bill BelichickNew England PatriotsXXXVI2001
Mike TomlinPittsburgh SteelersXLIII2008
Gary KubiakDenver Broncos502015
Doug PedersonPhiladelphia EaglesLII2017

That should tell you the challenge Ben Johnson faces. All those coaches listed above have notable advantages to help make it possible. Billick, Tomlin, and Kubiak inherited all-time great defenses. Belichick lucked into Tom Brady at quarterback while Pederson had the best roster in the league. Switzer took over a team that had already won back-to-back titles. Gibbs and Flores took over rosters still littered with future Hall of Fame talent. If Johnson wants to join them, he’ll need some type of advantage to lead the way.

There is a clear list of goals for Johnson.

He said it from the outset. Retool the secondary, upgrade the pass rush, and find a left tackle. Ozzy Trapilo likely won’t play in 2026, meaning the Bears must find somebody who can handle the job for at least a year. Both starting safeties are about to become free agents. If the Bears aim to keep one, they must get to work on it or do lots of research on potential replacements. There are also decisions to make at linebacker, with Tremaine Edmunds likely to be cut. Lastly, it’s about finding some difference-makers up front.

Though Ben Johnson is an offensive coach, he isn’t dumb. He has a sharp enough eye for talent to recognize the good ones. Chicago has limited cap space and no extra draft picks. That means they must be extra careful with their resources. They can’t afford to be careless. Not if they want to make a serious run this year.

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