Just a year ago, Ryan Poles, the Chicago Bears' general manager, was facing some heat from fans. Fast forward to today, and he's being celebrated as one of the NFL's top GMs.
What changed? A stellar 2025 draft class that turned the tide for the Bears.
The draft was a game-changer, with several rookies making immediate impacts. In fact, the Bears earned an A grade from Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, a distinction shared by only two other teams.
"The Chicago Bears finally experienced a significant turnaround, with their latest rookie class playing a large part. Obviously, Caleb Williams' development in his second year under the current tutelage of Ben Johnson was the biggest factor. Still, let's not overlook how Chicago's draft investments went a long way toward helping the Bears win their first NFC North title since the 2018 campaign."
Ryan Poles struck gold in the 2025 NFL Draft
The standout of this class was first-round pick Colston Loveland. Initially, Loveland seemed to struggle, but he found his stride starting in Week 9 against the Bengals. By season's end, he led the team with 58 receptions, 713 receiving yards, and tied for the most touchdowns with six.
Then there were the second-round gems, Luther Burden and Ozzy Trapilo. Burden stepped up late in the season, especially when Rome Odunze was sidelined, finishing with 652 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Trapilo, meanwhile, took over at left tackle in November for the injured Theo Benedet and never looked back, quickly becoming the best at his position.
The biggest surprise? Seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai. While there was hope he'd contribute, no one foresaw him racking up 783 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season.
Poles' success in the draft has set the Bears up for a promising future, thanks to the remarkable performances of these young players.