Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said at his end-of-season press conference that it was likely left tackle Ozzy Trapilo would go through a recovery process from his patellar knee injury that extends into the regular season later this year. Some took that as admission that the former 2nd round pick was in danger of missing 2026 entirely. What did that mean for his future? Missing that much time would put the Bears in a difficult spot, either having to find a bridge option to buy time until he returns or seek an outright replacement.

SM reached out to people close to the situation in hopes of determining how serious it is. Interestingly, there was resistance to the idea that Trapilo’s injury was devastating. It is felt within the building that, while his recovery would take some time, it shouldn’t affect his long-term career prospects. Expectations are that the team will make a move at left tackle, but it won’t be to seek a permanent replacement. They are willing to wait it out until he’s back to full strength.

The Ozzy Trapilo solution might be close to home.

There are several possibilities the Bears could explore for that bridge option. Veteran Cam Robinson is a free agent. He might provide some stability given his experience across multiple teams over time. There is Joseph Noteboom, who backed up Ronnie Stanley in Baltimore and has considerable starting experience as well, playing in Sean McVay’s offense with the Rams. Also, don’t forget D.J. Humphries. Though he’s been a backup the previous two years, he was a Pro Bowler not too long ago.

Truth be told, the Bears might not bother venturing into the unknown. There is a strong feeling inside the building that they could look to retain Braxton Jones. While that might not be the most popular idea for fans, the coaching staff loves him. When fully healthy, he’s proven to be a more than capable left tackle. Last season just fell apart because he was never 100%. That is no longer a concern, having spent most of the year recovering. He should be healthy and fresh by the summer.

Jones has an incentive to stay put.

For one, he already knows the offense, having spent the year practicing and playing in it. Ben Johnson is one of the best play callers in the NFL. If anybody is equipped to make him look good, it’s the Bears head coach. By accepting a one-year deal, Jones will get extensive playing time to start next season. If he performs closer to his top form from two years ago, it will improve his financial prospects for free agency in 2027. Right now, projections have him likely earning around $5 million per year from any team interested in his services. If that’s the case, going elsewhere makes little sense.

Ozzy Trapilo was playing really well before his knee injury. He was gaining confidence as a pass protector and even making strides in the run game. His loss was felt significantly in the divisional round against Los Angeles, where the Bears were forced to move Joe Thuney to left tackle and plug the untested Jordan McFadden at left guard. They invested a 2nd round pick in him for a reason. They feel he has the potential for a bright future. He is still only 24 years old. Patellar injuries aren’t the career enders they once were.

The team is willing to wait this out.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has operated with a steady and predictable approach in the NFL draft since taking over in 2022. Part of it is not shifting away from the class’s strengths to chase ghosts. Another is being disciplined and patient in the 1st round. Over the past three drafts, Poles has yet to move up on the first night. His only movement of any kind was in 2023 when he traded down twice. In 2024 and 2025, he stayed put and selected the best player on his board.

It made sense at the time. Chicago was picking in the top 10 every year. They didn’t have to move up since the odds were favorable that they’d land a good player. Based on early returns from Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright, and Rome Odunze, this was a wise decision. Poles won’t have that benefit this year. Chicago is picking 25th overall in the 1st round, the lowest they’ve selected since 2011. However, that isn’t the only reason why Poles might be compelled to move up if the opportunity arises.

The other comes from the nature of this draft class.

Ryan Poles faces long odds of landing a true 1st round talent.

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller does an annual breakdown of what he calls true 1st round players in a draft class. While 32 names are picked in the round, he identifies the ones who actually belong. Based on his tape evaluations to this point, the 2026 class is weaker at the top than any in recent memory.

“There’s a difference between going in Round 1 and being graded in Round 1, and now that we’re just over two months away from the opening of the 2026 draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh, I have identified the players who I believe are no-brainer Day 1 guys. The average draft class has roughly 15 players who are deemed “first-round talents,” though the number varies by team and scouting department. These special evaluations are reserved for prospects who would be Round 1 selections regardless of the year, and my own guideline is whether a player would have been a first-rounder in each of the past five classes.

I gave only 13 first-round grades in the 2025 class, the lowest number I’ve ever awarded. But the 2026 class actually has fewer at the moment — only 11.”

This should matter to Bears fans. Last year, two of those 13 players Miller graded as a true 1st rounder were Colston Loveland and Luther Burden. The same was true of Williams and Odunze in 2024. The only exception was Wright in 2023. Miller’s assessments have proven pretty reliable. Of those 13 last year, all but two of them didn’t make it out of the top 20. Now the margin for error is even thinner this year.

Burden and Johnson didn’t fall by accident. One was surrounded by character concerns. The other had serious health issues following him from college. That isn’t likely to help the Bears this year. None of the 11 prospects named by Miller has glaring character or health issues. Put simply, it would be a shock if any of them made it out of the top 20. That is where the decision to move up comes in.

Poles understands that sometimes you can’t rely on the board to help you.

There was a reason he reportedly wanted to move up in the 2nd round last year. The Bears knew Ohio State running back TreyVeon Henderson wasn’t likely to reach their spot at #39. Unfortunately, their calls didn’t produce the desired results. Henderson went one pick ahead of them at #38. It worked out since they landed Burden, but the stakes are considerably higher this year. Chicago just made a strong playoff run. They have the look of a team that is knocking on the door to Super Bowl contention. They need another difference-maker to take on the NFC’s best.

As far as the distance they could climb, there is somewhat of a barometer they can use. The Houston Texans held the 25th pick in the 2017 draft. They traded their 1st rounder in 2018 to the Cleveland Browns for the 12th overall pick, allowing them to select quarterback Deshaun Watson. So if Ryan Poles were willing to give up a future 1st for one of those 11 players, the likeliest area he could reach is probably around #12. That would give them a virtual guarantee of landing one of those names. It would all depend on who they want.

Three players stand out as Bears trade up targets

This is about the process of elimination. We already know the Bears are set at quarterback, wide receiver, and running back. So Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, Makai Lemon, and Carnell Tate are not in the discussion. So is tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Linebacker Arvell Reese is possible because of his potential to shift to edge rusher, but it’s beyond unlikely he falls out of the top five. Besides, trading up for a linebacker isn’t something Ryan Poles would do, since it’s not a premium position. So Sonny Styles is also out.

That leaves three players:

• Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
• Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey
• Ohio State safety Caleb Downs

Bain and Bailey play a premium position, and the Bears have a desperate need for a dynamic pass rusher. Both are explosive and almost impossible to block in obvious passing situations. As for Downs, Chicago doesn’t have any of their top four safeties under contract. It is likely that either Kevin Byard or Jaquan Brisker won’t return. That means they will need a starter. Downs is widely viewed as one of the best safety prospects to come out of college in years. He would be plug-and-play immediately and could be the best talent to hit that position in Chicago since Mark Carrier over 30 years ago.

If one of those names reaches that #11-13 range this April, don’t be shocked if Poles works the phones to go after them.

Right now, the Chicago Bears hold the #25 pick in the 1st round of the upcoming 2026 NFL draft. It is expected that they will stay there. After all, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has never traded up in the 1st round since taking over. He’s traded down twice. Both occurred in 2023, first moving down from #1 overall to #9, and then from #9 to #10. The Bears have remained fixed in place over the past two drafts, taking Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze with their original picks, and then Colston Loveland last year.

However, it is never wise to underestimate Poles. He’s willing to be aggressive when the time feels right. This could be the year. Chicago is coming off a playoff trip and was an overtime away from the NFC Championship. If they can land a true difference-maker in this draft, it might push them over the top. People close to the situation inside Halas Hall informed SM that two players in this class have Poles and the coaching staff excited. So much so that if either falls to a certain point in the 1st round, they will make calls to trade up.

Pass rushers David Bailey of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami.

The Chicago Bears’ excitement is well-founded.

Bailey has dominated the college ranks for his entire career, and 2025 was his best season. He is ready for the NFL, and draft experts see a player tailor-made for today’s game. Some have compared him to Nik Bonitto, the Denver Broncos’ star edge rusher. He is incredibly quick, agile, explosive, and flexible. His natural instincts for hunting the quarterback show up on every play. The one concern with him is his size. He’s 6’3 and 250 lbs, making him somewhat average, which is why many project him as more of an outside linebacker.

As for Bain, he was the focal point of Miami’s ferocious defense that carried them to the national championship game. He’s violent, heavy-handed, powerful, and has more speed than you’d think. He can move inside and outside, hunting for matchups. Getting trained by Hall of Famer Jason Taylor hasn’t hurt. His knowledge of the art is obvious from every snap. It comes down to whether teams can look past his short arms, which are reportedly 30 to 31 inches.

Could Bailey or Bain fall?

Pass rushers historically go early in the 1st round. Such is the nature of playing arguably the most important position in the sport outside of quarterback. After crunching some numbers, the average mock draft position for Bailey has been around the 5th pick. Everybody expects him to go in the top 10 with a good chance of cracking the top 5. Bain sits at the 9th pick. That means there is at least a possibility he slips out of the top 10. Beyond that, it’s uncertain how far down the board he goes.

This also depends on how aggressive the Chicago Bears are willing to be. Let’s say they offer up their 2nd round pick packaged with #25. Based on trade value charts, the best they could probably do is the 15th overall pick. Unless something changes in the next two months, it seems unlikely either player will slip that far. That means either the Bears are out of luck, or they’ve have to add more to the package to get higher. Poles has never given up more than a 2nd for anything in a trade before.

Are Bailey or Bain worth it? Given how badly this team needs a dynamic pass rusher and how good both were in college, the case isn’t difficult to make.

A new report from Windy City Gridiron shed light on what it could cost the Bears to trade for Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. The information came from Bill Zimmerman, who cited a person connected to the Raiders.

The reported price is steep. According to that source, Las Vegas would strongly consider a deal that includes the Bears’ 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 Day Two pick, and wide receiver DJ Moore. The report added that the deal becomes more realistic if the Bears eat some money and lower Moore’s salary to around $18 million.

There is no indication the Bears have made an offer. There is also no confirmation the Raiders are actively shopping Crosby. This is a price point discussion, not a confirmed negotiation.

The idea was discussed at length on Sports Mockery’s Bears Film Room show. The conversation focused on the reported cost, Crosby’s value, and how he would fit into the Bears’ current timeline.

What the Move Would Mean for the Bears

Crosby is a proven player. He is durable, productive, and one of the better edge rushers in football. Adding him would immediately improve the Bears’ defense and give them a true centerpiece up front.

That is the upside. The downside is the cost. Trading a future first-round pick, an additional premium pick, and DJ Moore would strip the roster of key assets. Moore is not just a good receiver. He is a leader in the lockerroom and perhaps one of the toughest veterans on the team.

From a roster-building standpoint, the move would also shift the Bears away from the plan they have followed since the rebuild began. Draft capital has been the foundation. Depth, flexibility, and controlled contracts matter when a team is still growing.

Crosby fits the timeline only if the Bears believe they are one major piece away. That is still an open question.

Why the Bears Should Pass

The Bears should not make this trade.

Crosby is a great player, but the cost is too high for where the team is right now. Giving up DJ Moore creates a new hole on offense while also draining future draft flexibility. That puts more pressure on the quarterback and forces the front office to chase replacements instead of building steadily.

Risk vs Reward: Trading First-Round Picks for Defensive Players

The smarter path is to keep drafting and developing. The Bears can find edge help in the draft without sacrificing a top receiver and multiple premium picks. That approach keeps the roster balanced and sustainable.

Big trades are tempting. This one should be resisted.

Bears Trade Price for Maxx Crosby Revealed

The Chicago Bears‘ 2025 season will go down as one of the most memorable in franchise history. There were too many moments to count during the season. You had Tyrique Stevenson’s pivotal forced fumble against Dallas, Jake Moody’s redemption in Washington, Colston Loveland’s catch-and-run for the winning score in Cincinnati, Caleb Williams to Cole Kmet to put away Philadelphia, and, of course, the bomb to D.J. Moore to beat the Packers at Soldier Field. Let’s not forget the 4th and 8 throw by Williams to kickstart the comeback over Green Bay in the playoffs. However, perhaps one of the unsung moments of the year involved Kyle Monangai.

Chicago’s rookie running back was a revelation this past season, going for over 700 rushing yards and five touchdowns. There were plenty of great runs, but his best moment came by total accident. During the wild card game against the Packers, cameras caught Monangai on the sideline looking to get a drink of Gatorade. Unfortunately, he had the bottle flipped upside down, spraying liquid everywhere. Luther Burden, who’d been sitting next you him, completely lost it.

Kyle Monangai wouldn’t escape that blunder unscathed.

Later that week, Burden came into the locker room with a paper bag in hand. He met Monangai at his locker and presented him with it, saying that Gatorade had gotten him a gift. Confused, a way Monangai took the bag and looked inside. Immediately, he smiled and looked at Burden like he wanted to shove him. Inside was a new Gatorade bottle, but with an additional feature. Written on the cap were the words, ‘This Side Up.’ It was a brilliant bit of trolling on the company’s part, no doubt appreciative of the unintended advertising that clip from the game produced.

Aside from being a priceless bit of comedy, Bears fans should look at the deeper meaning of the moment. Here the two players are. They’re both rookies. It’s a playoff game against the Packers on national TV. One would think Kyle Monangai and Burden would be nervous and stern. Instead, they take the time to laugh it up over a blooper. That was the first indication that the moment wasn’t too big for them. Being able to find the fun in little moments like that is often what separates good players from everybody else.

The Bears’ 2025 draft class is shaping up to be one of their best in years. Three players made an immediate impact, while a fourth (Ozzy Trapilo) began to look like a viable starter before getting hurt. If they all can build on this past season, this team becomes so much more formidable in the near future.

Let’s be honest. The Chicago Bears aren’t in a position to go on a shopping spree in free agency this year. They’re at least $5 million over the salary cap, and probably more. General manager Ryan Poles has some work to do just to get his team cap-compliant. Never mind finding the necessary space to conduct normal business. That is why team insiders have hinted for weeks that people shouldn’t expect any big splashes. It is far more likely Poles will stick to the bargain bin this year.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This team has already proven it can find hidden gems on the discount market before. See Nahshon Wright. After doing some research, at least five names are set to become available who align with the Bears’ needs and could be acquired at an affordable price.

Chicago Bears bargain option – EDGE D.J. Wonnum

Projected price: $5.69 million per year

Big-name edge rushers will always command big money. Projections have it ranging anywhere from $18-25 million per year for guys like Trey Hendrickson and Khalil Mack. Both are in their 30s, mind you. The Bears can’t really afford that. Sure, they could restructure some deals to find enough room, but it doesn’t feel like sinking another big contract into the defensive line is the best idea. By contrast, taking a calculated gamble on somebody like Wonnum is right up their alley.

Bears fans probably remember the name from his four years with the Minnesota Vikings. He had eight sacks in the 2021 and 2023 seasons before departing in free agency. He signed with the Carolina Panthers, where they shifted him to outside linebacker. The move didn’t really fit him, but he remained a solid rotational pass rusher, collecting 31 pressures and three sacks while helping the team make the playoffs. He’d be allowed to shift back to his natural defensive end spot in Chicago.

OT D.J. Humphries

Projected price: $1.4 million per year

Ozzy Trapilo is out for several months with his knee injury from the wild card win over Green Bay. Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet are free agents. This leaves the Chicago Bears with no clear option at left tackle going into the season. It is why many speculate the team may have no choice but to use their 25th overall pick on the position. That or scour the trade market for a reasonable bridge option until Trapilo returns. Free agency is rarely the answer to such prayers for teams, given the position’s value.

The case of Humphries is an unfortunate one. He was a quality starter in Arizona for years, making the Pro Bowl at one point. Then an ACL injury late in 2023 derailed his career. The Cardinals released him, and he’s been forced to play backup in Kansas City and Los Angeles the past two seasons. He should be healthy now. He’s highly experienced with 101 career starts. Given the projected price, this might be the perfect gamble the Bears could take, likely pairing him with a draft pick.

S Kyle Dugger

Projected price: $5.9 million per year

Four safeties are coming out of contract for the Bears this March. That includes both starters, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. They only have enough money to keep one of them. As things stand, the likelier outcome is re-signing Byard, who just completed an All-Pro season with seven interceptions. That means Brisker will hit the market, with expectations that he commands around $10 million per year. While he was a valuable member of the secondary, his production was such that Chicago should be able to survive his loss.

Brisker’s calling card was run defense and playing an aggressive style around the line of scrimmage. That has been what Dugger has done best for years. He was really good in New England from 2021 through 2023. Then, after getting traded to Pittsburgh last season, he still managed 42 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions in just nine games. He will be 30 years old this year, though. That means his shelf life is declining, but if the Bears need a short-term solution to losing Brisker, they could do way worse.

LB Leo Chenal

Projected price: $4.6 million per year

Producing solid linebackers is nothing new for Kansas City. They’ve been pretty good at it for a long time, having just locked up Nick Bolton to a lucrative extension. Unfortunately, the team is now $54 million over the salary cap. That means retaining free agents will be next to impossible. Losing Chenal will be one of the consequences. The former 3rd round pick developed into a quality starter for the Chiefs. Last season might’ve been his best with 58 tackles, two sacks, five QB hits, and an interception in 14 games.

The Chicago Bears have an underdiscussed situation at linebacker. Noah Sewell and D’Marco Jackson are free agents. Tremaine Edmunds is a prime cut candidate. T.J. Edwards suffered through multiple injuries last season. This position feels seriously in need of help. Chenal would be a likely successor to Sewell at the SAM position, given his 6’3 size and skillset. He won’t be the main guy to drive the ship, but he’s already proven he can be a complementary player in a good defense.