Ben Johnson was touted as the best hire of the 2025 NFL coaching cycle. He did not disappoint in his first season with the Chicago Bears.
Johnson led the Bears to an 11-6 record, an NFC North title and the team’s first playoff win since 2010. Caleb Williams took a massive step forward in Johnson’s quarterback-friendly offense and finished just 58 yards shy of becoming the first quarterback in Bears franchise history to throw for at least 4,000 yards in a single season.
Chicago appears to be in a win-now window, with Williams still having two seasons remaining on his hyper-affordable rookie contract. That said, the team endured some important losses during the offseason, with center Drew Dalman retiring, wide receiver DJ Moore getting traded to the Bills and most of the team’s safety corps leaving the team in free agency.
That will leave the Bears searching for some critical replacements in the 2026 NFL Draft while also trying to shore up its weaknesses along the defensive front.
Here’s everything to know about Chicago’s picks, needs and outlook for the 2026 NFL Draft:
Bears 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Bears have seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s the complete list:
- Round 1, Pick 25
- Round 2, Pick 57
- Round 2, Pick 60 (from Bills)
- Round 3, Pick 89
- Round 4, Pick 129 (from Rams)
- Round 7, Pick 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars and Browns)
- Round 7, Pick 241
Bears 2026 NFL Draft needs
Edge rusher
The Bears had the sixth-lowest pressure rate during the 2025 season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Montez Sweat has effectively been a one-man show on the edge, so adding a high-upside partner for him could allow Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo to settle into the complementary roles for which they are better suited. Keep an eye on T.J. Parker and Cashius Howell as options for Chicago’s first-round pick.
Defensive tackle
Grady Jarrett was the highest-graded Bears interior defensive line last season by Pro Football Focus, finishing 73rd among 127 qualifiers. Gervon Dexter (41 pressures in 2025) and Shemar Turner (a 2025 second-round pick) still have upside, but adding a more consistent interior defender to the mix should be in the cards, especially with Jarrett turning 33 just a couple of days after the draft.
Safety
Chicago’s top five safeties from 2025, four left the team in free agency. The Bears found a replacement for Kevin Byard in free-agent signee Coby Bryant, but they still need to find a way to replace Jaquan Brisker. Chicago could consider selecting Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren if either is on the board with the 25th pick.
Bears 2026 NFL mock draft
Here’s what the Bears could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly’s seven-round mock draft:
- Round 1, Pick 25: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
- Chicago signed Cam Lewis and Coby Bryant in free agency but still have a glaring need at safety after losing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. McNeil-Warren is the latest Toledo standout in the secondary to hit the draft. At 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, he dishes out hits in run defense with solid ball skills as well in coverage with the frame to take on myriad assignements.
- Round 2, Pick 57: LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
- Chicago signed Devin Bush in free agency but he can’t be the long-term answer for the defense at linebacker opposite T.J. Edwards. Hill brings good size (6-foot-2, 238 pounds) and excels best against the run, something the Bears will have to contend with in-division facing the Lions and Packers. He has the athleticism and length to develop in coverage but may have to remain in zone schemes to begin his career. At 21 years old, there’s plenty of runway for improvement.
- Round 2, Pick 60: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
- Iheanachor is a rare athlete for the position with outstanding footwork thanks to his soccer and basketball background. At 6-foot-6 and 321 pounds, he has the frame to make it as a long-term tackle if the Bears are concerned Ozzy Trapilo’s recovery from injury. If not, he could make for a great guard with the athleticism to thrive under Ben Johnson’s system.
- Round 3, Pick 89: CB Tacario Davis, Washington
- The Bears lost their tall, long cornerback Nahshon Wright in free agency and get another 6-foot-4 outside corner to develop in his place. Davis is at his best in press coverage with the length to disrupt receivers at all levels.
- Round 4, Pick 121*: C Jake Slaughter, Florida
- Round 7, Pick 239: WR Colbie Young, Georgia
- Round 7, Pick 241: Edge Michael Heldman, Central Michigan
* Projected trade up with Pittsburgh Steelers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears NFL draft tracker 2026: Full list of picks, live grades