Feb 10, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) works out during spring training camp at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
When Munetaka Murakami signed with the White Sox this offseason, the assumption by many was that he would play first base on an everyday basis at the MLB level. And while that will likely remain true, his defensive home does not appear as cut-and-dry as initially expected. White Sox manager Will Venable recently appeared on Foul Territory and discussed Murakami’s defensive progress, revealing that while first base remains his primary focus, the team intends to keep him sharp at third base as well.
Will Venable says Munetaka Murakami's defensive focus will mostly be at first base, but the team doesn't want to ignore his ability to play across the diamond. pic.twitter.com/odrGnkzy34
This development shouldn’t be a complete surprise considering Murakami has experience playing third base professionally. In fact, third base was his primary defensive position in Japan. He made 763 appearances at the hot corner during his career overseas compared to only 266 games at first base. That trend has continued recently as well. He played 63 games at third base, eight at first base, and three in the outfield with the Yakult Swallows in 2025.
Emphasis on Versatility
Venable offered some interesting insights, emphasizing the importance of Murakami maintaining his versatility in the field.
“We want to focus at first base, but he’s obviously played on the other side of the diamond…we want to make sure that’s still a club in his bag. He’s someone who’s committed and is willing to put in the work to be proficient at both spots,” he said.
Venable did elaborate by saying that although Murakami will spend most of his time at first base, they want to keep him locked in at third base. They are staying true to that philosophy early on in the spring, as Murakami has taken grounders at third base at the White Sox spring training facility at Camelback Ranch.
Miguel Vargas appeared in 79 games at third base for the 2025 White Sox and appears to be the everyday option at the position heading into this season. Still, it is an interesting development that Murakami could be in consideration for playing time at the position. Doing so would allow Venable to have more flexibility in creating his lineups and potentially open the door for Lenyn Sosa, who is currently the odd man out to an extent, to get in the lineup at first base.
Murakami Is The Future
Regardless of where he plays in the field, the White Sox brought in Munetaka Murakami because of his bat. He has already shown his trademark mammoth power in batting practice and has immediately become one of the best power hitters on the team. It’s fair to expect some growing pains in his rookie season considering the transition from Japan to MLB, but Venable has already praised him for his desire to improve in all aspects of the game. Whether he plays first base or third, Murakami will be one of the centerpieces of the future for the White Sox.
Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; in Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during an NFC Divisional Round game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Super Bowl LX has come and gone. The Seattle Seahawks claimed their second crown in 12 years. As they bask in the joy of the accomplishment, 31 other teams are already focused on 2026 and Super Bowl LXI. That includes the Chicago Bears, who just completed their most successful season in 15 years. Their 11-6 record, division title, and playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers felt like getting multiple monkeys off their backs. For the first time in years, they’re free to chase a bigger prize. Their first Lombardi trophy in 41 years certainly ranks at the top.
Still, most experts aren’t buying the Bears as a legitimate threat. They haven’t been on the stage long enough. Plenty of teams have made surprising runs for one year and then faded into the background. See the Washington Commanders. The Bears are probably a flash in the pan. That is why most of ESPN’s experts picked teams like the Rams, Chiefs, 49ers, and Broncos to hoist the trophy next February, save for one. Former defensive back Matt Bowen believes it will be the Bears, provided they address one remaining roster issue.
What’s your early Super Bowl LXI pick?
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Bears over Bills. Chicago needs to add pass rushers, but the foundational players are there on offense under coach Ben Johnson. With quarterback Caleb Williams’ playmaking ability, the Bears will beat Josh Allen and Joe Brady’s Bills to win Super Bowl LXI.
Bowen’s advice is overly simple for the Chicago Bears, but also correct.
NFL history has seen plenty of changes to the game of football. However, one fundamental truth has remained the same. If your team has a good quarterback and a good pass rush, you are going to compete for a championship. Anybody who doesn’t believe it merely has to look at the results of the past decade of Super Bowls. Of the ten winners, nine had either a Pro Bowl quarterback or a future Hall of Fame quarterback. What many don’t realize is that most of them also had effective pass rushes.
Super Bowl champion
League rank in sacks
2025 Seattle Seahawks
6th
2024 Philadelphia Eagles
8th
2023 Kansas City Chiefs
2nd
2022 Kansas City Chiefs
2nd
2021 Los Angeles Rams
3rd
2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4th
2019 Kansas City Chiefs
8th
2018 New England Patriots
15th
2017 Philadelphia Eagles
9th
2016 New England Patriots
11th
Like it or not, this isn’t a lesson the Chicago Bears have been good at learning over the past several years. They’ve had good pass rushes in the past. Unfortunately, they almost never had a good quarterback to pair with them. Now they finally got the quarterback right, but the pass rush isn’t up to par. The Bears finished with 35 sacks this season, 6th-worst in the NFL. The New England Patriots, who just got crushed in the Super Bowl, were the 5th-worst. Chicago hasn’t ranked in the top 10 since 2021, the last year they had Khalil Mack.
1:40 of Akheem Mesidor making life REALLY tough for the Gators. 5th most pressures in the FBS regular season(PFF). Love his first step at 280, hand usage and power to get home. I get the age concerns at 25, but even with that he is easily a first round guy for me. pic.twitter.com/kh3XvfkkV5
In years past, they both had a high draft pick and lots of salary cap space to potentially address the problem. Now they have neither. The Chicago Bears hold the 25th overall pick in the 1st round, well out of range of where the top pass rushers in a class typically go. They’re also more than $10 million over the salary cap. It isn’t likely they will spend much in free agency. That means they must trust in a mixture of strong evaluation from their scouting department and some good luck to find a true difference-maker.
It’s been done before. Jared Verse went 19th in 2024. George Karlaftis went 30th in 2022. Gregory Rousseau went 30th in 2021. Montez Sweat went 26th in 2019. Good pass rushers slip down the board all the time. The hard part for the Bears is pinpointing who is best equipped to play in the NFL. That has been their Achilles heel. Leonard Floyd turned out pretty good, but not until he left Chicago. Shea McClellin, Michael Haynes, and John Thierry were all busts. Only Tommie Harris was a true hit, and his career was cut short by injuries.
Jan 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, left, and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are seen during the first half of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the LA Clippers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is set to take part in the NBA Celebrity 3 Point Contest during All Star Weekend. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. PST as part of a crossover brand activation. Williams will be joined by a mix of athletes, entertainers, and creators, including Druski, PlaqueBoyMax, Nigel Sylvester, Richard Jefferson, Jared McCain, and Cam Wilder.
Williams stepping onto an NBA All Star stage this early in his Bears tenure says a lot. This is not just a football appearance. It is a sign of how quickly he has become one of the most visible young athletes in sports. National brands and leagues see him as a crossover star. That matters for the Bears, whether people want to admit it or not.
Caleb Williams will take part in the NBA celebrity 3-point contest at All-Star Weekend on Friday. pic.twitter.com/VRZkyMSbFY
This is also just good for the city. Chicago fans have waited a long time to feel relevant on a national sports stage outside of nostalgia. Seeing the Bears quarterback at All Star Weekend brings attention and energy that the team has not had in years.
Why This Fits Caleb Williams
Williams has always been more than just a quarterback. He is a high level athlete, but more than that, he is a superstar who embraces moments like this. He enjoys being visible. He enjoys competition. He enjoys showing personality without forcing it. That matters in a city like Chicago.
His odds of winning are better than people might think. A 3-Point Contest is about touch, rhythm, and staying calm. Williams has shown throughout his career that big stages do not speed him up. If he settles in and finds a groove, he can absolutely make this interesting.
This appearance also speaks to something bigger. Williams is comfortable carrying attention. He does not shy away from it. He understands that being the Bears quarterback comes with visibility beyond football. Instead of avoiding that, he leans into it in a way that feels natural.
That is why he fits Chicago. This city appreciates stars who show up, embrace the moment, and still keep their edge. Williams is doing that early in his Bears career, and it feels genuine.
For Bears fans, this is simple. It is just fun. No pressure. No expectations. Just a chance to watch the Bears quarterback enjoy himself and represent the city on a national stage.
How to Watch
The NBA Celebrity 3 Point Contest will air Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. PST as part of All Star Weekend coverage. Check NBA All Star programming listings for the exact broadcast platform.
Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson walks the sideline during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Ben Johnson arrived with plenty of fanfare in January of 2025. Everybody knew he’d had great success with the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator. What nobody knew was whether he could duplicate that in Chicago without all the talent the Lions had. Never mind the fact that he’d have to do it while also being the head coach of an organization that had been stuck in the cellar for years. They got their answer within a calendar year, as Johnson not only went 11-6 and made the playoffs but also gave Chicago its first top-10 offense in over a decade.
The Bears were must-watch television, both for the product on the field and Johnson’s epic post-game speeches. It became clear the media loved him, but was that opinion shared by those inside the NFL? Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron received confirmation of this during Super Bowl week.
The media and league couldn’t be higher on Ben Johnson. He’s in the elite class of offensive minds. I think in many people’s minds, he’s already catapulted ahead of guys like Kevin Stefanski and Kevin O’Connell. Andy Reid isn’t really mentioned in those conversations anymore. These days, he’s the godfather of NFL offense. Everybody knows he’s great, but until we see the Chiefs’ offense recover, he’s going to be pushed a little aside.
The conversation of elite minds is Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and Ben Johnson. That seems to be the big 3, and I think if you asked most folks there, they would give you that list.
Keep in mind, McVay and Shanahan have combined to reach four Super Bowls since 2018 and make the playoffs almost every year. If Johnson is in that category, the Bears are in great shape. However, Zimmerman did add one wrinkle to the widespread praise. It seems Johnson is respected, but not exactly liked.
I do think there’s a good chance that the Bears become the heels of the NFL. There really isn’t a villain in the league right now like the Cowboys in the 90s and the Brady/Belichick Patriots. Now, obviously, those teams won championships before they became the villains. The Bears may not wait that long. Johnson is highly competitive, and you can still tell that Williams rubs some people the wrong way. It would not surprise me if the Bears become that role thanks to Johnson and Williams.
Ben Johnson doesn’t seem to mind the villain role.
He embraced it from the outset, stating at his introductory press conference that he enjoyed beating Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur twice a year. From there, it just kept growing. There was the shirtless celebration against Philadelphia. Or the unforgettable ‘F**k the Packers!’ after beating them in the wild card round. Then you just have Johnson’s aggressive overall approach to the game. He never takes his foot off the gas. It is always go for the kill. That type of approach will rub people the wrong way.
Then again, it’s not like teams cast in the villain role don’t have success. In fact, some of the most hated teams in NFL history also won a lot of games.
Team
Villain reason
Results
1970s Oakland Raiders
Highly physical, often dirty, and cheated
Super Bowl XI champs
1990s Dallas Cowboys
Arrogant mentality and lots of arrest scandals
3x Super Bowl champs
2000 Baltimore Ravens
Best player was charged with murder
Super Bowl XXXV champs
2010s New England Patriots
Spygate and Deflategate scandals
3x Super Bowl champs
This isn’t the movies or books. In sports, villains don’t always get their comeuppance. Instead, their talent and confidence are rewarded with plenty of success. Johnson understands this reality, which is probably why he doesn’t feel inclined to play the typical soft-spoken, classy head coach to the media. His goal is to win football games and step on your neck while doing so. Care to know another iconic head coach known for the same thing?
George Halas. Don’t expect Johnson to apologize for this approach. If being the villain is what it takes, he will embrace it.
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Let’s not mince words: The Chicago Bears are a high-speed Ferrari with a transmission made of wet cardboard.
We just watched Mike Macdonald hoist the Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LX, and while everyone is busy salivating over the Seahawks’ exotic blitzes or their secondary’s “Legion of Boom 2.0” vibes, Macdonald himself dropped the real truth bomb. He said, and I quote, “If you can defend the run in split safety… that’s some high-powered stuff.”
Translation for the folks in the back: If your big boys in the middle can’t stop a stiff breeze, your fancy two-high safety shell is just a decorative curtain.
Right now, Dennis Allen is running that same high-powered scheme in Chicago. He’s showing two-high safeties on 45% of snaps — the third-highest rate in the league. He wants to play that game. He wants to disguise coverages and make QBs see ghosts. But you know what happens when you play two-high with a soft middle? You get gashed. You get bullied. You get treated like a JV squad in the trenches.
The Bears ranked 7th-worst in rushing yards allowed (131.4) and 4th-worst in yards per carry (5.0) in 2025. That isn’t just a “bad stat.” That is a schematic death sentence. You cannot claim to be a championship contender when every 1st-and-10 feels like a 4-yard gift to the opposition.
If Ryan Poles wants to actually finish the “Masterclass” we’ve been praising him for, he needs to stop looking at the shiny objects on the perimeter and start hunting for some glass-eaters to put next to Gervon Dexter.
The Dennis Allen Dilemma: Math Doesn’t Lie
Dennis Allen’s defense is built on a lie. It’s a beautiful, tactical lie designed to trick the quarterback into thinking he has a deep shot, only to find a safety capping the route. But for that lie to work, the front four have to be absolute dogs.
In a two-high shell, you’re essentially removing a body from the box. You’re asking six guys to do the job of seven or eight. That means your defensive tackles can’t just “occupy space.” They have to be gap-and-a-half players. They have to command a double team, anchor against it, and still have the twitch to shed and make a play.
In 2025, the Bears’ interior had the anchor of a pool noodle.
When offenses ran zone or gap schemes, our tackles were getting washed out like laundry. Offenses didn’t even have to get creative; they just ran straight at the A and B gaps. By the time our linebackers even saw the ball, the running back was already five yards deep into the secondary, probably waving at Kevin Byard on his way past.
Because the DTs couldn’t hold the point of attack, Allen was forced to do the one thing his scheme hates: Blitz. The Bears blitzed at the 9th-highest rate in the NFL. Why? Because they were desperate. They had to manufacture stops because the four-man rush was non-existent and the run defense was a sieve.
It’s a vicious cycle of suck. You blitz to stop the run, you expose your corners, you give up a big play, and suddenly that “elite” two-high shell is in the trash can where it belongs.
The Current Room: A Mix of “Maybe” and “Has-Been”
Let’s look at the roster, and try not to cry.
Player
2025 Performance
The Reality Check
Gervon Dexter
6.0 Sacks, 60.0 PFF Grade
The only bright spot, but plays like a pogo stick. Great pass rush, questionable run fits.
Grady Jarrett
1.5 Sacks, $18.9M Cap Hit
A legend, but father time is undefeated. We’re paying for the name, not the production.
Shemar Turner
Torn ACL
A 2025 2nd-rounder who we haven’t even seen yet. Can’t bank a championship on a mystery box.
Andrew Billings
Rotational
A UFA who probably won’t be back. Solid, but “solid” doesn’t win rings.
Gervon Dexter is a fascinating player. He’s 4th in PFF pass-rush grade among DTs at certain stretches, and the 6.0 sacks show he’s got the juice. But under Matt Eberflus, he was a one-gap penetrator. Dennis Allen wants him to play a more disciplined, gap-and-a-half style. Right now, Dexter looks like a guy trying to learn a new language while being chased by a bear. He flashes, then he disappears. He needs a running mate — a true 1-technique — who can take the heat off him.
Then there’s Grady Jarrett. God bless him, he’s been a warrior. But 1.5 sacks in 14 games? At a nearly $19 million cap hit? That’s malpractice. In the Divisional Round loss to the Rams, the interior defensive line generated exactly two pressures on Matthew Stafford out of 14 total. That’s pathetic. If you can’t make a statue like Stafford uncomfortable in the biggest game of the year, you don’t deserve to be starting.
The Championship Blueprint (Or: Why Seattle Is Smarter Than Us)
You want to know why Seattle is planning a parade? Because they realized that the middle of the defense is the soul of the team. They played the least amount of “base” defense in the NFL (only 6%!). They lived in nickel and dime packages.
How? Because Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams are absolute freaks. They stopped the run at the highest rate in the NFL while essentially playing with an extra defensive back on the field. They made it look easy.
Look at the Final Four from 2025:
Seahawks: Murphy & Williams (9+ sacks each, elite run defense).
Rams: Kobie Turner & Braden Fiske (The guys who literally ended our season).
Broncos: Zach Allen & John Franklin-Myers (Top-5 scoring defense).
Patriots: Barmore & Milton Williams (The engine of that surprise run).
Notice a pattern? All of them have interior duos that can wreck a game plan. The Bears had… a guy who’s 33 and a third year guy who’s still figuring out where to put his hands.
Unlocking the Chain Reaction
Upgrading at DT isn’t just about the DTs. It’s about the “Force Multiplier” effect. If Ryan Poles lands a true blue-chip interior defender, here is what happens:
Sustainable Split Safety: We can actually play the scheme we want. Allen can keep those safeties deep, eliminating the explosive plays that killed us against Green Bay (I’m looking at you, Bo Melton).
The End of Blitz Dependency: If we can get home with four, we can drop seven. It’s that simple. Jalen Carter won a Super Bowl the year prior by generating a 60% pressure rate with zero blitzes. Imagine Montez Sweat actually having 1-on-1 matchups because the guard is too busy dealing with a 320-pound monster in his face.
Third Down Dominance: Our 3rd-down defense was already 6th in the league. Now imagine adding a player who demands a double team. Allen’s creative blitzes go from “good” to “unstoppable” when the offense has to account for an elite interior rusher.
The 2026 Draft: Where the Monsters Are
The good news? This draft class is deeper than a Chicago pothole in March. We’re sitting at pick No. 25, and there are three names that should be circled in red on Poles’ board.
1. Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (98) celebrates during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025.
This is the dream. He led all FBS interior defenders with a 91.2 PFF run-defense grade. He is a brick wall with feet. He’s the kind of two-gapping, anchor-and-shed beast that makes a two-high safety shell viable. You put him next to Dexter, and suddenly Dexter is free to hunt QBs while McDonald eats double teams for breakfast.
2. Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive lineman Lee Hunter (2) reacts in the second half of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
He’s 6’3”, 320 lbs, and he doesn’t move. He’s the human equivalent of a “No Trespassing” sign. If the Bears want to fix their yards-per-carry problem overnight, this is the guy. He’s a dominant run defender who showed out at the Senior Bowl. He’s not a flashy pass rusher, but he doesn’t need to be. He just needs to be unmovable.
3. Caleb Banks (Florida)
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) causes a fumble as he strips the ball from LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
If you want the highest ceiling, you look at Banks. He’s got elite size and upper-body strength. He’s a potential three-down defender who can affect the run and the pass. He’s more of a project than McDonald, but the payoff could be Chris Jones-lite.
The Money Problem: No Free Lunch
Look, the cap situation isn’t great. We’re projected at -$9.5 million before any moves. To get under and actually sign anyone, Poles has to get aggressive.
Releasing Tremaine Edmunds saves $15 million. Restructuring a few deals could get us to $28 million. But that money has to cover safety, left tackle (with Trapilo’s injury), and edge depth.
This is why the draft is the only way. We can’t afford to go out and give D.J. Reader a massive bag. We need a cost-controlled, high-impact rookie at No. 25.
Final Verdict
Ryan Poles has done a lot of things right. He got the QB. He got the WRs. He got the offensive coordinator. But he’s neglected the engine room.
The Bears were the 7th-worst team against the run while trying to play a scheme that demands elite run defense. That is a recipe for a first-round exit every single year. You can have Caleb Williams throwing for 4,000 yards, but if the defense is giving up 5 yards a clip on the ground, you aren’t winning anything.
Mike Macdonald told the world exactly what matters. The blueprint is right there. It’s written in blood and dirt in the trenches.
Build the defense from the inside out. Get a monster at DT. Or get used to watching the Super Bowl from your couch.
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) looks on during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears enter this offseason in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in years, they are not debating whether their rebuild is working. They are debating how aggressive they should be now that it clearly is.
After a breakout 2025 season behind Caleb Williams, Bears fans have shifted their attention to what comes next. Many believe the answer is a splash trade for an elite defender, with Maxx Crosby frequently mentioned as the missing piece.
According to Brad Biggs, that expectation may not align with how the Bears actually see themselves.
Biggs urges patience, not panic
Biggs has pushed back on the idea that Crosby, or any single player, is what puts the Bears over the top. His reporting suggests the organization does not feel urgency to force a “win-now” move, even after last season’s success.
.@BradBiggs issues a word of caution to those thinking that Maxx Crosby – or any single player – is what’s needed to put the Bears over the top.
He believes the Bears should keep their long-term window of contention in mind. He'd be hesitant to part with 1st-round draft capital. pic.twitter.com/ysHyUWE5nL
Inside Halas Hall, the belief is that the Bears’ window is opening, not closing. If Williams continues to develop as expected and Ben Johnson proves to be a long-term answer, Chicago could be positioned to contend for years, not just one season.
Because of that outlook, Biggs would be hesitant to see the Bears part with first-round draft capital. Surrendering premium picks for a veteran defender would represent a philosophical shift from the approach that has brought the franchise back into relevance.
Splash trades don’t guarantee titles
Recent history supports that caution.
The Green Bay Packers dominated headlines after trading for Micah Parsons. They were widely projected as NFC favorites. They failed to win a playoff game.
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the year with Super Bowl expectations and missed the postseason entirely.
Preseason hype often creates confidence that is not backed by results. Biggs’ broader point is that trading future flexibility for immediate excitement rarely offers guarantees when January arrives.
Ryan Poles’ long-term view
General manager Ryan Poles has taken a measured approach since arriving in Chicago. The rebuild was slow and, at times, frustrating. Now, the payoff is visible.
Williams looks like a franchise quarterback. Johnson has reshaped the offense. The Bears earned a Wild Card win over Green Bay and came one completed pass away from the NFC Championship Game.
That progress came without sacrificing future draft assets. From Biggs’ reporting, there is little appetite inside the organization to abandon that formula now.
The case for making the move anyway
Still, there is a credible argument on the other side.
The Bears are no longer searching for answers at quarterback. Williams already looks capable of elevating the roster, and the offense showed late last season it can score against top competition. That reality changes how teams evaluate risk.
There is also a financial factor. Williams remains on his rookie contract, which gives the Bears flexibility that many contenders lack. Teams often use that window to absorb expensive veterans while keeping the rest of the roster intact.
Defensively, Chicago feels close. The unit is solid but lacks a consistent game-wrecking presence off the edge. Adding a player like Crosby would immediately raise the defense’s ceiling. His ability to generate pressure without blitzing could swing playoff games and create shorter fields for an offense already trending upward.
From that perspective, a blockbuster trade would not be a shortcut. It would be a finishing move. If the Bears believe they are one elite defender away, the cost could feel justified, even if it is steep.
At least two first-round picks, plus additional assets
Primary Risk
Paying premium draft capital for a player nearing 30 in a long-term build
Crosby is unquestionably a difference-maker. The debate is not about talent. It is about timing and philosophy.
Where the Bears land
The Bears are no longer rebuilding, but they are not desperate. That balance is why this decision matters.
Biggs’ reporting suggests Chicago does not feel pressure to act, and his read on the organization carries weight. The Bears believe they have built something sustainable, and that belief encourages restraint.
At the same time, windows in the NFL are never guaranteed. With a quarterback on a rookie deal and a roster nearing contender status, the temptation to push forward is real.
Whether Chicago ultimately waits or swings big, the decision will not be made out of fear. It will be made out of confidence in how far the Bears have already come — and clarity about how they want to get where they are going next.
What I am hearing
From what I have picked up, the Bears are expected to lean heavily into defense in the draft and could still make one notable splash in free agency.
Right now, the momentum inside Halas Hall does not match the noise on the outside. Trade ideas involving Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett simply do not carry the same level of energy internally as they do among fans and analysts.
That does not mean the door is closed. Front offices adjust quickly, and conversations can change as March approaches and the league calendar shifts. But as of now, the Bears appear more focused on strengthening the defense through the draft while maintaining flexibility rather than emptying future assets for a single blockbuster trade.
If anything shifts, it will likely come closer to free agency, when price tags become clearer and timelines tighten.
Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is sacked by. Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) during the first half of an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Chicago Bears fans already had a vision for how the 2026 offseason would unfold even before the team’s unfortunate playoff loss to the Rams. To many, edge rusher was the position that needed to be addressed. Those convictions only grew stronger after watching the Seattle Seahawks pulverize Drake Maye in the Super Bowl, essentially repeating what the Philadelphia Eagles did to Patrick Mahomes the year prior. The key to a championship run is a good quarterback and a dynamite pass rush. The Bears have the former. They need to get the latter.
For this reason, it is expected that spot will be a central focus for their 25th overall pick in April’s draft. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has never drafted a defensive player in the 1st round. This feels like the perfect time to change that. However, the assumption that it will automatically be an edge rusher appears misplaced. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune mentioned the position’s status in a recent article and pointed out a piece of intel that feels notable as the draft draws closer.
“Allen had to lean heavily into blitz packages. Over the course of the season, when the Bears rushed only four, the results were too inconsistent. The solution is finding more difference makers and more depth across the board — not just another edge rusher.
The Bears are bullish on the future of defensive end Austin Booker, who totaled 4½ sacks and eight QB hits in the final six games, playoffs included, but competition is needed.”
A strong pass rush is what stands in the way of the Bears competing at the highest level for the Super Bowl.
"I don't think they're that far away at all when I watched the playoffs this year," @olin_kreutz says of the Bears.
The Chicago Bears are right to feel excited about Booker.
Keep this in mind. The former 5th round pick wasn’t much of a factor in his rookie season, amassing just 10 total pressures in 154 snaps. Things looked much improved in the preseason this past August, but then Booker injured his knee, missing the first eight weeks of the season. Things started slowly with just 11 pressures in his first five games back. Then the switch flipped. Over the last six games, Booker racked up 23 pressures, along with those 4.5 sacks. He was playing borderline dominant football in spurts.
Booker is still just 23 years old. His confidence appears sky high, and he’ll have a chance to build on that stretch run with another offseason to improve his body and expand his repertoire. The Bears aren’t entirely crazy for being excited about him. He and Montez Sweat were a strong tandem. While drafting a pass rusher should still be high on the team’s list, it might not be the defensive position they should be focused on. That is reserved for defensive tackle, where they have multiple issues.
Defensive tackle
Total pressuresin 2025
NFL rank
Gervon Dexter
44
18th
Grady Jarrett
23
57th
Andrew Billings
14
85th
Chris Williams
8
11th
Interior pass rush was the bigger problem for the Bears.
While Dexter had another solid year, it wasn’t close to dominant. Jarrett spent much of the season injured and is in his 30s. Billings and Williams are free agents. Then you look at the four teams that reached the conference championship games this season. All four had an interior pass rusher who finished in the top 10 in total pressures. Seattle and New England, the two Super Bowl participants, each had two.
Zach Allen (Denver) – 83
Kobie Turner (LA) – 69
Leonard Williams (Seattle) – 69
Byron Murphy (Seattle) – 62
Milton Williams (New England) – 59
Christian Barmore (New England) – 58
The edge rushers always get the publicity, but history tends to show that the true championship defenses are the ones who can bring heat up the middle. The Chicago Bears already learned this lesson with Steve McMichael in 1985. Tommie Harris was pivotal to their run in 2006 and was sorely missed in the Super Bowl loss. Akiem Hicks was just as crucial to that 2018 unit as Khalil Mack was. It might be time to start circling defensive tackle as the position to watch at #25.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: How many sacks did Austin Booker have in 2025?
A: 4.5
Q: Where are the Bears picking in the 1st round of the 2026 draft?
A: 25th overall
Q: Who was the last edge rusher the Bears took in the 1st round?
Sep 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Kris Bryant (23) and former Cubs player tips his cap to the fans during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Kris Bryant was on a Hall of Fame trajectory by the end of his fifth season with the Chicago Cubs and it sucks that his legacy not only in MLB itself, but as a star in Chicago is reduced to the meatball thought that he was soft. Injuries have taken away so much from several great players in Chicago and Bryant’s career just hit another setback before a pitch has been thrown in the 2026 season. Yet, instead of fans lamenting what could have been, the 2016 MVP continues to be treated like a villain.
That’s what really pisses me off because think of most of the other great players that have come through Chicago and on the Cubs. This dude won Rookie of the Year, MVP and the World Series in his first two years in MLB, had his name next to franchise icons after 2019, and no one could say a bad thing about Bryant on or off the field. Oh, he struck out too much as a rookie, how about immediately turning into a top-2 hitter in baseball right after.
Kris Bryant made his MLB debut on April 17, 2015. On May 19, 2018, he injured his shoulder, sliding against the Reds.
Between those dates, Bryant posted a 22.8 fWAR, ranking 2nd among all MLB players, trailing only Mike Trout.
By the way he never had any issues off the field and had his character assassinated by David Kaplan, who over exaggerated a supposed extension offer that was immediately refuted by Cubs beat reporters.
Anyway, as teams begin spring training you’re starting to see injury announcements and the Colorado Rockies had a big one on Tuesday. Bryant, who only played in 11 games for the Rockies in 2025, and has played in 170 total games since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract, will miss the start of the 2026 season as he continues to deal with lumbar degenerative disc disease in his lower back.
Spring training starts, and Rockies 1B Kris Bryant goes on the 60-day IL where he'll be out for at least the first 57 games of the season. Bryant, who played only 11 games last season, has played in 170 games in the first four years of his 7-year, $182 million contract.
It is extremely sad to see. And I get it, if you’re a Rockies fan you’re probably not as sympathetic toward Bryant because you never got any of the great memories. For Cubs fans, though, how can you not feel awful for that man.
Back in November, Bryant spoke to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post and provided a gut-wrenching update on his recovery.
There’s no other way to put this, downright agonizing.
Every morning, Kris Bryant wakes up and tests his lower back, hoping the pain and stiffness have lessened. Every morning, he’s disappointed.
“I wish I had better things to tell you,” Bryant said from his home in Las Vegas. “It’s not in the best shape, and that’s pretty disheartening for me. It’s exhausting for me waking up and hoping to feel (better). I can’t tell you the last time I woke up feeling I’m in a good spot.”
“If you asked me two or three months ago, I would say (my back pain) was not affecting my everyday life,” he said. “But now it is, which is really annoying to me because usually when you kind of just rest, it’s supposed to get better. So maybe I’m at a point where I should just do a bunch of stuff to see if that helps me.”
All Kris Bryant did was unfortunately have his body fail him. He didn’t fail anyone and it’s a damn shame that instead of being remembered for being the best player on the best Cubs team too many fans will point to his time in Colorado and completely forget how special Bryant was.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds speaks about a trip to the U.S. Mexico border during a press conference at the Iowa State Capitol, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024.
The Chicago Bears have entered what feels like a critical phase of their push for a new stadium. Indiana has passed legislation that would help cover infrastructure costs for a new site in the northwest region. Together with friendly property taxes, the way is paved for the Bears to choose a location. At the same time, it appears that Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois government have finally reached a breakthrough in talks with the franchise, making more progress in the past three weeks than at any point in the past three years.
It feels like a decision is coming by the end of the month, one way or the other. Opinions are mixed. Some believe the Bears were merely using Indiana as leverage to get a favorable deal from Illinois. Others think the Indiana offer is too good to pass up. So you’ll be forgiven if you weren’t expecting a third player to enter the chat at the eleventh hour. According to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the state of Iowa has put forth a new bill that would enhance its economic development program.
The purpose? To lure the Bears to Iowa. Yes, really.
In a move bordering on parody, Iowa lawmakers filed a proposed bill Tuesday designed to try to lure the Bears to their state. Senate File 2252 would expand a current state economic development program to incentivize building an NFL stadium in Iowa.
Kerry Gruenhagen, a Republican senator from Walcott, said in a statement that “while Illinois and Indiana squabble over this issue, we are ready to get off the sidelines and into the game.”
The Chicago Bears have zero reasons to entertain this idea.
Let’s start with the geography. Arlington Heights is 26.2 miles from downtown Chicago. Hammond, Indiana, a popular site option in the northwest area, is 28.7 miles away. Both are within easy driving and train distance for the millions of people living in the city or adjacent suburbs. By contrast, the very eastern tip of Iowa is 170 miles from downtown Chicago. The closest major city in the state, Davenport, is 173 miles away. That is nearly a three-hour drive. There is no way most fans would take such a trip.
Then you have the property taxes. Illinois is #2 on the list of highest in the country. Iowa is #10. That isn’t enough of an improvement to convince the Chicago Bears to up and leave the state, especially when Indiana is 31st. Last but not least, Iowa has never been a major draw for professional sports teams because of its lower population. The state ranks 32nd in total residents, while Illinois ranks 6th and Indiana ranks 17th. Fewer people mean less money. Unless Iowa is willing to finance most of the stadium and infrastructure itself, there is no proposal they can make that would entice the Bears to leave.
This feels more like a publicity stunt than anything else. By joining the conversation about the Bears, it might get the word out to other professional teams that are looking to move.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (98) celebrates during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025.
The Chicago Bears have a ton of data still to collect before they are ready for the 2026 NFL draft. They must sort out their in-house free agents, attend the scouting combine, go to college pro days, and conduct free agency. Only after all of that will they have a good idea of which direction they’ll go in the 1st round on April 23rd. As things stand, it feels like a three-horse race between three positions: left tackle, defensive tackle, and edge rusher. There is no way to know what general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson are thinking. Former Bears scout Greg Gabriel knows one thing for sure. If Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald is on the board at #25, they better take him.
Gabriel spent 30 years in the NFL, primarily with the Bears and New York Giants. He was in the scouting department when the team last reached the Super Bowl in 2006. That experience has given him strong insights into what to look for when evaluating talent. After digging into McDonald’s tape since the end of the college season, he is convinced the big defensive tackle is everything Dennis Allen’s defense needs.
He is big, strong, impossible to move in the run game, absorbs double teams, and has the quickness and power to squeeze the pocket up the middle.
Kayden McDonald is the type of talent Chicago hasn’t seen in years.
One position that has given the Bears problems in recent years is nose tackle. They haven’t been able to find a long-term solution at that spot, forced to rely on a mixed bag of veteran free agents and underwhelming draft picks. The last time they had a truly dominant nose tackle was Ted Washington. He played a huge part (no pun intended) in transforming the 2001 Bears defense into a dominant unit. Letting him walk in 2003 always felt like a mistake. After Lovie Smith arrived, the importance of that position seemed to decline.
McDonald has that rare mix of size, power, and quickness. You think he’s just a big slab of meat occupying space. Then he shoots a gap or chases a running back down the line for a tackle. Comparisons from experts include D.J. Reader, who’s been a very good nose tackle for ten years, and Vince Wilfork, a likely eventual Hall of Famer. Neither of those possibilities would be bad for the Bears. Either way, their defense would improve almost immediately.
Ohio State NT Kayden McDonald is my favorite player in the 2026 NFL Draft (NT1/Top 10 on my Board)
🐂Strong as a damn bull at 6’3, 326 lbs 🏅Linebacker’s dream (see Arvell Reese & Sonny Styles) to play behind 📈Worst case this is a run stuffing monster for 7-10 years https://t.co/pe85Ywisjzpic.twitter.com/3eTqCZaSWb
Stopping the run is key to Dennis Allen’s defense.
Chicago was 27th in that category last season. In fact, they’ve struggled to stop the run for years. In the past five seasons, they have ranked 23rd or worse four times. The lone exception was 2023, when they ranked 1st. It probably isn’t a coincidence that Allen’s best defenses often correlated with their ability to stop the run.
Year
Run defense rank
Total defense rank
2018
2nd
14th
2019
4th
11th
2020
4th
4th
2021
4th
7th
A big reason for this is that stopping the run often puts the opponent in 2nd or 3rd and long. Those become must-pass situations, allowing Allen to use one of his many creative pressure packages. Don’t forget the Bears were a perfect 5-0 when they gave up fewer than 100 yards rushing in a game.
One other factor in play here? Andrew Billings is a free agent. He’s also 31 years old. The Bears don’t have anybody on the roster ready to replace him. Perhaps Grady Jarrett might be willing to play the role since he doesn’t really have the juice for three-technique anymore. Still, Kayden McDonald feels like he’d not only be a good player, but fill a key need up front as well.
