You know that feeling when a plan finally starts to come together? That's the vibe in Chicago right now. After years of wandering through the quarterback desert, Caleb Williams has turned the Bears into a legit playoff threat. He’s basically throwing for 4,000 yards, which, if you’re a Bears fan, feels like witnessing a miracle in person. But here’s the thing: as the 2025 season wraps up and we look toward April, the conversation is shifting.
The offense is humming under Ben Johnson. But the defense? It's kind of a different story.
If you’ve watched any late-season games, you’ve seen the problem. Chicago is getting gashed up the middle. They allowed the most yards before contact on designed runs in the league this past year. That’s a fancy way of saying the defensive line is getting pushed around like a JV squad. This is exactly why every NFL mock draft Chicago Bears fans are looking at right now is obsessed with the trenches.
Ryan Poles has done a masterful job accumulating talent, but the interior defensive line is a glaring, 300-pound hole.
The Kayden McDonald Hype is Real
Honestly, if you look at the board right now, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald is the name everyone is circling. PFF has him as a "perfect" fit, and it’s hard to argue with the math. While the current Bears' defensive tackles were all grading out below a 60.0, McDonald was busy putting up a 91.2 run-defense grade at Ohio State.
He’s a monster.
Imagine a guy who just eats double teams for breakfast. That’s what this defense needs to let guys like Montez Sweat actually do their jobs on the edge. Without that disruption inside, the whole system starts to lean, then it breaks.
Why Linebacker Could Be a Shocking First-Round Move
Most people think the first round has to be a tackle or an edge rusher. That’s the "standard" play. But look at the salary cap. It’s tight. Like, "negative space" tight if they don't make some moves.
Tremaine Edmunds carries a massive cap hit of $17.4 million in 2026. If Ryan Poles decides to save that $15 million in cap space by moving on, suddenly linebacker becomes a massive need. This is why you’re seeing guys like Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas or CJ Allen from Georgia popping up in the first round of various mocks.
It’s about sustainability.
Poles isn’t just looking at the next game; he’s looking at the next three years. Hill Jr. is 6'3", 238 pounds, and plays with the kind of violence that fits a Dennis Allen-style defense perfectly. Is it a "luxury" pick? Maybe. But if it clears up $15 million to spend elsewhere, it’s a business move.
The 2026 Chicago Bears Draft Strategy: A Potential Three-Day Outlook
Let’s be real, we won't know the exact order until the playoffs finish, but assuming the Bears are picking in the 20s, the strategy is basically: fix the spine of the team.
- Round 1: Interior Defensive Line or a cap-saving Linebacker.
- Round 2: Edge depth or a Safety. (Remember, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker aren't locks to stay given the cap crunch).
- Day 3: Offensive line depth. Ozzy Trapilo has been great at LT, but the depth behind him is scary.
Addressing the "Caleb Tax"
Success is expensive. With Caleb Williams playing like an MVP candidate, the window is wide open. But that also means the draft picks are lower. You aren't getting a top-five blue-chip prospect anymore. You have to be smarter.
The "Caleb Tax" means you’re picking at 25 instead of 5. You have to find the Kayden McDonalds or the Caleb Banks of the world—guys who might not be household names yet but fill a specific, violent role in the trenches.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Draft
A lot of fans are screaming for another wide receiver. "Give Caleb more weapons!" they say.
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Look, Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze are a nightmare for defensive coordinators. Adding more to that room while the defense is giving up five yards a carry is how you become the 2010s New Orleans Saints—great offense, but you're losing 38-35.
The focus has to stay on the defensive interior.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
If you’re tracking this NFL mock draft Chicago Bears cycle, watch these three things:
- The Senior Bowl: Watch for interior linemen who can hold their own against double teams. That’s the Bears' #1 priority.
- The Cap Casualties: If the Bears cut or restructure Tremaine Edmunds or Cole Kmet, their draft board flips instantly.
- The Safety Market: If they don't re-sign Kevin Byard, expect a safety to be drafted much higher than people currently think.
The goal for 2026 isn't just making the playoffs; it's about making sure Caleb Williams doesn't have to be perfect every single week just to stay in the game. It’s time to build a defense that actually scares people again.
Keep an eye on the interior defensive line prospects as the draft process heats up. The success of the 2026 season might just depend on a guy whose name you haven't even learned how to pronounce yet.