When it comes to the NFL Draft, the biggest mistake fans can make is assuming they know exactly what their team is going to do. That’s especially true this year for the Chicago Bears.
In the past, it wasn’t hard to guess their direction - picking in the top 10 usually meant quarterback, offensive tackle, or a pass rusher was on the table. But this time around, things are different.
The Bears are drafting at No. 25, and that opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Yes, Chicago still has clear needs - left tackle, defensive tackle, and edge rusher among them. But don’t be surprised if GM Ryan Poles casts a wider net. He’s shown he’s not afraid to zig when others expect him to zag.
Just look at last year. The Bears weren’t desperate for a tight end, but they still took Colston Loveland in the first round.
Then in the second, they grabbed wide receiver Luther Burden III despite having a solid receiver room. Both players are now viewed as foundational pieces.
That tells us something about Poles’ mindset: he’s looking for impact players, not just patchwork solutions.
So while it’s fair to cross off a few positions - quarterback, for one - the list of possibilities is longer than most fans might think. Safety, linebacker, even running back could be in play if the right player is there. Poles isn’t drafting for need; he’s drafting for difference-makers.
Let’s focus on safety for a moment, because that’s a position where the stars might be aligning. Chicago hasn’t taken a safety in the first round since 1990 - that was Mark Carrier, who promptly set a franchise rookie record with 10 interceptions and made three Pro Bowls.
Since then, the Bears have mostly filled the safety spot with veterans and mid-round picks. But with Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and C.J.
Gardner-Johnson all hitting free agency, the team could be staring at a major hole in the secondary.
And while cornerback doesn’t seem like a priority - Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson are all under contract - safety is a different story. It’s not just a need. It’s a real possibility in the first round.
History actually supports that move. Since 2000, we’ve seen a number of safeties taken in the 20s range of the first round - right where the Bears are sitting.
Some of those names? Ed Reed, Devin McCourty, Harrison Smith.
Even guys like Jabrill Peppers and Darnell Savage Jr. have carved out solid careers. Sure, there have been a few misses, but more often than not, teams find quality starters - and sometimes stars - at that spot in the draft.
This year’s class looks like it could keep that trend going.
Daniel Jeremiah recently dropped his top 50 prospects for the 2026 draft, and three safeties made the cut as potential first-rounders. Caleb Downs is the headliner - a do-it-all phenom with comparisons to Ed Reed and Eric Berry. But barring a miracle, he won’t be on the board at 25.
That leaves two names that Bears fans should get familiar with: Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
Thieneman, out of Oregon, is the kind of player coaches love. He sees the field like a quarterback, diagnoses plays quickly, and brings a physical edge in the run game.
His ball skills are legit too - eight interceptions prove he’s not just a thumper. He’s a high-IQ safety who can play in any scheme, and his versatility would be a great fit in Chicago’s defense.
Then there’s McNeil-Warren from Toledo. He’s built like a linebacker, hits like one too, and has a knack for forcing fumbles.
Think of him as a strong safety with a Charles Tillman mindset - always looking to punch the ball out. He’s a tone-setter, the kind of guy who can energize a defense with one big hit or takeaway.
With Jaquan Brisker likely on his way out, either of these guys could step in and fill that role - and maybe even offer more in coverage. Best of all, there’s a good chance one of them will still be on the board when the Bears are on the clock at 25.
Of course, it all depends on how the board falls. If there’s a higher-rated player at another position, Poles won’t hesitate to go that route.
But make no mistake - safety is very much in play. And if the right one is there, don’t be shocked if the Bears make a move that turns heads.
Again.