The Chicago Bears are entering a pivotal offseason, and the conversation around their 2026 NFL Draft strategy might need a serious recalibration. While general manager Ryan Poles remains the top decision-maker in the front office, there’s a new dynamic in play - one that could shift the Bears’ draft priorities in a meaningful way.
New head coach Ben Johnson reportedly has significant say over roster decisions, a level of personnel control that was part of his contract negotiations. That changes the calculus.
Johnson isn’t just coaching this team - he’s shaping it. And if you know anything about Johnson’s background, that’s a big deal, especially when it comes to building an offense.
Forget the Defense-First Assumptions
Most early mock drafts and offseason projections have the Bears targeting the defensive side of the ball. It makes sense on paper: the front seven needs youth, safety depth is a concern, and the defense, while solid, could use some fresh legs. But that might be missing the forest for the trees.
Because here’s the thing - the Bears don’t have a clear answer at left tackle. And for a head coach like Ben Johnson, who’s cut his teeth on offensive football and values clean pockets and rhythm passing, that’s a problem that can’t be ignored.
A Revolving Door at Left Tackle
The Bears' 2025 season was a carousel at left tackle, and not in the good way. Here’s how things played out:
| Player | Games Started | Why He Was Replaced |
|---|
| Braxton Jones | 1-4 | Poor performance | | Theo Benedet | 5-10 | Quad injury |
| Ozzy Trapilo | 11-16 | Rest | | Theo Benedet | 17 | Not the playoff starter |
| Ozzy Trapilo | 18 | Torn patella | | Joe Thuney | 19 | Emergency fill-in |
That’s six different changes at arguably the most important spot on the offensive line. Trapilo, who looked like a potential long-term option, suffered a torn patella and won’t be ready by Week 1.
Braxton Jones is set to hit free agency. Benedet is still on the roster, but he’s been benched twice.
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.
As ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported, this issue has quietly become the top priority inside Halas Hall. And it should be.
The rest of the offensive line looks relatively set - there’s stability and continuity at guard and center. But left tackle?
That’s a gaping hole. And Johnson knows just how critical that position is to his offense.
Johnson’s History Speaks Volumes
Ben Johnson’s coaching journey has been shaped by elite left tackle play. He entered the league with the Dolphins in 2012, when Jake Long was still anchoring the blind side.
A few years later, Miami drafted Laremy Tunsil, who developed into another Pro Bowl-caliber tackle. Then came Detroit, where Johnson saw firsthand what a decade of Taylor Decker’s reliability can do for an offense.
This isn’t just a preference - it’s a philosophy. Johnson wants a tackle who can hold his own in pass protection, who doesn’t need constant help from tight ends or backs.
That’s how you build a modern offense. And right now, the Bears don’t have that guy.
So while the defense may still get attention in the draft, don’t be surprised if the conversation starts to shift toward protecting the quarterback - whoever that may be - and locking down the left side of the line.
The Draft Dilemma: Pick 25
Here’s where things get tricky. The Bears are slated to pick 25th overall in the first round.
That’s not exactly the sweet spot for landing a franchise left tackle. Historically, the best ones go early.
The last player taken in that range who turned into a legitimate left tackle? Christian Darrisaw in 2021.
Before that, D.J. Humphries in 2015.
It’s not a common occurrence.
So the Bears face two options: get lucky, or get aggressive.
If they want a true Day 1 starter at left tackle, they might need to trade up. The consensus top tackle in this class is Spencer Fano out of Utah. He checks all the boxes - athleticism, technique, polish - but there’s a catch: most draft experts don’t see him falling out of the top five.
That leaves the Bears looking at three other realistic options - each with upside, but each with question marks.
The Options on the Board
Francis Mauigoa (Miami)
Mauigoa played right tackle for the Hurricanes and looked dominant at times.
He’s got the size and power you want, but his foot speed raises concerns. Can he make the switch to the left side?
Some think he’s better suited for guard. That said, Trapilo didn’t have left tackle experience either, and Johnson still gave him a shot.
Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)
Proctor is a road grader in the run game and has perhaps the best anchor in pass protection among the second-tier options.
He’s tough to move, which Johnson will like. But he’s not the fleetest of foot, and that could be a problem against elite edge rushers.
Still, if Johnson prioritizes power and stability, Proctor might be the guy.
Caleb Lomu (Utah)
Lomu is the best athlete of the group - quick feet, smooth movement, and the ability to mirror in pass protection.
But he lacks power at the point of attack, which could be a red flag. He’s reminiscent of Braxton Jones in that way - technically sound, but not physically dominant.
So What’s the Move?
None of these options is perfect. Mauigoa hasn’t played the position.
Proctor might struggle with speed. Lomu might get overpowered.
If the Bears stay at 25, they’ll likely have to pick their poison - or hope one of these guys can be coached up quickly.
There’s also the possibility of addressing the position in the second or third round, but that’s a gamble. Developmental tackles don’t always pan out, and Johnson’s offense doesn’t have time to wait around.
At the end of the day, this comes down to what Johnson values most. Is it raw athleticism?
Technical polish? Anchor strength?
He’s going to have to weigh the flaws against the upside and decide which traits he can live with - and which ones he can’t.
One thing is clear: the Bears can’t afford another year of musical chairs at left tackle. If Johnson wants to build the kind of offense he ran in Detroit - balanced, explosive, and quarterback-friendly - it starts with finding his guy at the most important spot on the line. And that search might define the Bears’ offseason.