The 2026 NFL Draft is days away, and the Bears are in an enviable position — a young franchise quarterback, a legitimate contention window, and a pick at No. 25 with real options on the board.
But no roster is without holes, and with limited picks and a front office that has shown a willingness to be creative on draft weekend, it’s worth sorting out which needs are genuinely pressing versus which can wait before the cards get dealt.
Here’s how the Bears’ needs stack up heading into draft week.
Identifying and Ranking the Chicago Bears’ Biggest Needs Entering the 2026 NFL Draft
High Priority Needs
These are positions where the Bears need quality starters.
1. Defensive Line
The “defensive line” label here is intentional — splitting edge and interior doesn’t make much sense given where Chicago is picking. At the back end of the first round, the best available player is the right call, whether that’s an edge rusher or a defensive tackle. What matters is that whoever comes off the board is a starter or a high-impact rotational piece. The Bears can’t be in the reclamation business in the early rounds if they’re going to take the next step as a contender. Montez Sweat needs a running mate; the interior can always be upgraded, and this is the draft to address it.
2. Secondary
Much like the defensive line, the Bears could use quality reinforcements in the secondary without being too precious about which specific spot gets addressed. Whether it’s a player to line up opposite Coby Bryant at safety or someone who can contribute meaningful snaps at cornerback, depth is needed across the board. The Bears’ defense has been built on opportunism and takeaways; adding talent to that group only raises the ceiling.
Safety Coby Bryant was the Bears’ premier free-agent addition. © Kevin Ng-Imagn Images3. Left Tackle
Left tackle is the most pressing positional need on this list. Ozzy Trapilo is a potential down-the-road answer, but a potential down-the-road answer isn’t good enough for a team in a contention window. If the right left tackle is on the board, the Bears should take him, because protecting Caleb Williams, who is about to become the biggest financial investment on this roster, has to be a priority. The interior of the offensive line can be addressed at multiple spots and at multiple points in the draft. But the left tackle is the position that warrants the most urgency.
Second-Tier Needs
Not top of mind, but positions the Bears should address on draft weekend.
1. The Rest of the Offensive Line
This is less about finding starters and more about building depth and planning for the future. Garrett Bradbury is a functional solution at center in the short term, but the long-term picture there is a legitimate concern. Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson were terrific in 2025, but Thuney turns 34 this season, and Jackson turns 30 after it ends. If there is a guard or a swing lineman worth taking in the middle rounds, these are smart positions to take swings, especially with a franchise quarterback behind that group.
2. Linebacker
Linebacker was higher on this list before the addition of Devin Bush and the return of Jack Sanborn, and it’s dropped accordingly. Between Bush, Sanborn, D’Marco Jackson, and whatever T.J. Edwards has left in the tank, this group will be functional in 2026. That said, if the right player is there at the right value, it can’t hurt to add to a position group that has seen some turnover.
© Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images3. Running Back
D’Andre Swift’s deal expires after this season, and a repeat of his 2025 performance makes him an expensive re-sign next spring. Kyle Monangai’s emergence as a rookie helps, but Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson likes multiple backs in his offense, so finding a cost-effective, capable complement to the group this year or next makes a lot of sense. This doesn’t need to be a priority pick, but it’s worth keeping in mind on Day 2 or 3.
Low Priority
These groups can be addressed on Day 3 or with priority undrafted free agents.
1. Pass Catchers
This is in the low-priority section, but good pass catchers are always welcome. Injuries and attrition happen at premium positions, and staying ahead of the curve matters. Chicago has a strong group right now. Luther Burden III looks like a potential WR1, and while last April’s selection felt somewhat redundant given the existing pass-catcher depth and other pressing needs at the time, it’s hard to find anyone complaining about it now. That’s the NFL. Everyone is here for a good time, not a long time.
Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images2. Quarterback
Tyson Bagent is a backup quarterback, and backup quarterbacks are interchangeable. Particularly if you can turn one into draft capital via trade. Good teams deal from areas of strength, and the quarterback position is no different. If someone around the league values Bagent, the Bears should move him and find a replacement, ideally one they can run the same process with down the road. This isn’t a draft-day priority, but it’s a thread worth pulling on.
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