The Jeffery Simmons trade may have taken Chicago out of the first round in 2027, but it did not close the book on the Bears’ roster work. Ryan Poles still has plenty to sort through, and the draft remains the clearest path to patching the holes that keep this team from looking like a complete NFC heavyweight.
That urgency shows up all over the roster. The defensive front still needs help, the secondary is shaky beyond a few flashes from Kyler Gordon, and Caleb Williams can only cover so much. If the Bears want to build something that lasts beyond No. 18 under center, they may need one more strong draft class to keep stacking talent.
Cornerback sits at the top of the list, and it is easy to see why. Chicago’s secondary is being held together with paper mache and Elmer’s glue right now, as the decline of Jaylon Johnson and borderline untenable play of Tyrique Stevenson have made this the closest thing to an emergency on this roster. It would be a major surprise if the Bears’ first pick is not used on a cornerback after how this season started.
This class does not offer many ready-made stars once Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore is gone, but there is real value in the Day 2 range. That gives Chicago a chance to find help even if the top name is off the board.
Pass rusher comes next. Montez Sweat is starting to take a step back, and while Austin Booker’s breakout has been encouraging, it shouldn’t be enough for the Bears to eschew this position in the Draft. The defensive end depth is really starting to shine as the college football season soldiers on.
Chicago could lean toward a speed threat off the edge rather than a bigger run-stuffer, especially if the goal is to add more burst to the front. Even if the Bears prefer the edge-setter type, this class offers enough versions of that player that they should have options.
Running back is another spot that could draw attention. Kyle Monangai has been through some injury troubles of late, and D’Andre Swift is a solid back that lacks the ability to elevate a ground game by himself. Ben Johnson loves to pound the rock when his team gets ahead, which could prompt more of an earnest investment.
The class itself is thin, though. Florida’s Jadan Baugh is the lone first-rounder, and Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy has struggled to stay healthy.
Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy only just returned to action. Still, the Bears have earned some trust here after finding Monangai in the seventh round.
Defensive tackle depth also belongs on the radar. Simmons is a game-changing All-Pro weapon, but he is just one man, and the Bears may need to find a long-term running mate once the Grady Jarrett era ends. Chicago may be a few steps away from giving up on Shemar Turner, but that shouldn’t dissuade the Bears from picking another with a premium selection.
Ole Miss’ Will Echoles and Tennessee’s Xavier Gillam are both pushing toward the top of the class, and the second round could be the right place for Chicago to jump in. Simmons changed the conversation, but he did not eliminate the need for more bodies inside.
Left tackle rounds out the five. Ozzy Trapilo’s injury history remains very concerning, and the Theo Benedet era may be coming to a close at some point. With Williams’ eventual extension poised to kick in, the Bears need to be able to find value on the offensive line.
A mid-round pick would help the depth chart, especially after the Kiran Amegadjie pick. Chicago is not going to be in the mix for the top names like LSU’s Jordan Seaton or Texas’ Trevor Goosby, but this class has enough tackle depth for Poles to make a move. Even an early Day 3 pick could bring some much-needed stability and security.
In Other News...
Bears Deadline Buzz Could Undermine Ryan Poles Biggest Roster Progress
Ryan Poles bold move to land Jeffery Simmons changed the look of Chicagos defensive front in a hurry, giving the Bears a proven interior force after parting with two first-round picks to get him from Tennessee. It was the kind of swing that signaled real urgency from a front office trying to accelerate the roster build, and it immediately shifted the conversation around what the Bears still need as the trade deadline approaches.
Now the challenge is resisting the temptation to chase another headline deal before the market closes. The Bears still have roster issues to sort through, but swinging for a left tackle, forcing a move for an edge rusher or making a play for cornerback Nahshon Wright could undercut the biggest progress Poles has made by overloading the roster with short-term fixes instead of letting Simmons anchor the defense and the rest of the pieces settle in around him. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Secondary Problem Could Force Ryan Poles To Act Fast
The Bears secondary has become one of the more uncomfortable storylines of the season, and Jaylon Johnsons play has only sharpened the conversation around how much help this group needs. Chicago entered the year expecting its cornerback room to be a strength, but the week-to-week results have made it harder to ignore the possibility that Ryan Poles may need to get aggressive before the deadline.
If the Bears do decide to shop for help, the market could include a few intriguing names who fit different parts of the defensive puzzle. Donte Jackson, Riq Woolen and Nahshon Wright have all been floated as possible targets, each bringing a different blend of size, speed or scheme versatility, and the question now is whether Chicago sees enough urgency to move fast before other teams start driving the price up. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Williams Faces His Biggest Bears Test Yet Under The Lights
Caleb Williams has settled back in after the hamstring injury, and the early returns have given the Bears plenty to like. In his three starts since coming back, he has been sharp and efficient, completing 73.8 percent of his passes for 860 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions, while Chicago has topped 30 points in each of those games.
The next step looks tougher. Tampa Bay brings one of the stronger defenses the Bears have seen during this stretch, and it will be a useful measuring stick for Williams as he continues to build rhythm under the lights. Chicago has found some offensive traction with him back in the lineup, but this matchup should show how much of that production can travel against a higher-level opponent. [Read more 🡒]