There has been a lot to like about what the Chicago Bears have done this offseason, but a couple of glaring holes remain as the NFL Draft approaches.
After Jaquan Brisker’s and Kevin Byard’s departure, safety remains a bit of a concern, even after signing former Seahawks star Coby Bryant. The defensive line, though, may be the biggest area of concern, after essentially sitting out a loaded pass rush market.
Chicago Bears’ biggest NFL Draft fear revealed
Aug 12, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; ryan Poles, general manager of the Chicago Bears watches warms ups before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Aug 12, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; ryan Poles, general manager of the Chicago Bears watches warms ups before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Over at Pro Football Focus, analyst John Kosko put together a list of every NFC team’s worst-case scenario during the NFL Draft, including the Bears whiffing on or ignoring the defense, again.
“The Bears’ defense was the best at generating turnovers in 2025,” Kosko writes for PFF. “But if turnovers didn’t occur, the unit was a sieve — allowing opposing offenses to run and pass up and down the field and ranking 25th in success rate allowed.
“In a defense-heavy draft, the Bears are in a good position to fill their needs on that side of the ball. If they don’t, it’ll be a mistake.”
This class could be matching up well with Chicago’s most pressing needs, and the timing might be ideal to build out a defense with young talent that mirrors the investments made in recent years in Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, Kyle Monangai, and others.
If Poles isn’t able to, it could build a ceiling on what the Bears can accomplish in 2026.
Chicago Bears, Colston Loveland, NFL
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) smiles during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images