The Chicago Bears enter the 2026 NFL Draft with one of the most pressing needs at edge rusher of any team in the league, and a decision to make at No. 25 overall that could define the ceiling of general manager Ryan Poles’ roster for the next several seasons.
Poles has constructed one of the most balanced and ascending rosters in the NFC around quarterback Caleb Williams, but a dominant edge presence opposite Montez Sweat remains the most glaring unfinished piece of a defense that led the league in takeaways last season while struggling to consistently get off the field.
Rounding out the pass rush during the draft might not just be a top priority, but could be critical to building the kind of balanced roster capable of legitimately contending for Super Bowls.
NFL Draft 2026: Chicago Bears’ best pass rush fits revealed
Oct 27, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen on the sidelines in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 27, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen on the sidelines in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
If the Bears stay put at No. 25 and address the position through the draft, one NFL executive and former general manager has a clear view of which prospects make the most sense for Chicago.
“Their best fits might be T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, or Akheem Mesidor,” the executive told Between The Hashmarks.
Parker is an ascending pass rusher with the athleticism to thrive in Dennis Allen’s scheme. Howell produced 14 sacks last season at Texas A&M and posted a 90-plus overall PFF grade in each of the past three seasons. Mesidor is a raw but physically imposing presence with the kind of upside that makes him worth a first-round investment.
Whatever the Bears do between now and the draft as far as potentially trading for a veteran or shopping for a bargain bin free agent addition, adding a rookie with Parker, Howell, or Mesidor’s upside could be the best move to set Chicago’s defense up for long-term success while making an immediate impact on a team built to win now.
NFL Draft
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