For the first time in Ryan Poles’ tenure as Bears general manager, he’ll try to supplement a playoff roster instead of building from the ground up. Chicago took a major step in head coach Ben Johnson’s first season last year. Now they’ll try to fill some holes in order to return to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2006.

Shaw Local will be covering all things Bears throughout the three days of the draft. Check back here for live updates.

The draft is officially underway.

The Raiders are on the clock after commissioner Roger Goodell and some former Pittsburgh Steelers came out onto the stage. He thanked a huge crowd in Pittsburgh and Steelers declared the draft underway.

Poles and assistant general manager Jeff King made it clear when they met with reporters Thursday that the Bears could go in multiple different directions.

The Bears will have a best-player-available approach as they did last year when they chose tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick. King did say a position of need might be a priority when multiple prospects are graded the same way. But for the most part, the Bears plan to add more talent to the roster regardless of where they play.

They’ll also be prepared to move up or down if they want to get a specific prospect. Poles will have a second second-round pick to use as trade bait and said the Bears feel comfortable adjusting on the fly if they need to.

Even after reaching the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020, the Bears will have plenty of holes to fill over the next few days.

Most of those needs are on the defensive side of the ball. Poles will look for improvements on the defensive line both at the tackle and edge spots after the Bears struggled to stop the run and pressure quarterbacks for most of last season. Chicago will also be in need of another starting safety after signing Coby Bryant in free agency and letting last year’s starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker leave this offseason.

Although the Bears have starters set at cornerback and linebacker, they could address those spots for the future.

Offense likely won’t be a priority like it was last year. But with left tackle Ozzy Trapilo’s future uncertain as he recovers from a patellar tendon injury, the Bears might address the spot as early as the first round.

The 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network. It also is available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. It can be streamed with NFL Plus, the ABC app or the ESPN app.

The Bears currently hold seven picks, but they could acquire more through trades. Here are the picks they currently have:

The Illinois House passed a Bears-backed megaprojects bill by a 78-32 vote a few hours after the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee advanced legislation by a 15-5 vote. The bill will now head to the Illinois Senate, where it is expected to be debated over the coming weeks.

The bill is what the Bears have said is required for them to build a stadium in Arlington Heights. It will allow the team to negotiate a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with local governments. The bill will also fund infrastructure improvements in the surrounding area, something the Bears have also asked for in negotiations.

“[The bill allows different] mechanisms that allow organizations like the Bears to remain a part of Illinois’ stream of commerce and to also entice other entities, who may be domiciled in other places, to come here to the state of Illinois,” said state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, who sponsored the bill.

Even after its approval in the House, some questions arose Wednesday night that will need to be answered for the legislation to pass the Senate, which returns to Springfield on April 28. It will also need Gov. JB Pritzker’s approval.

The Bears appreciated Wednesday’s developments after the House passed the bill. But the organization felt there was more work left to be done in the coming month before the legislative session ended.

“We welcome the progress made on the House’s version of the mega project bill,” the statement read. “However, additional amendments are necessary to make the Arlington Heights site feasible for our stadium project. We support Illinois leaders as they determine the forward to making the essential changes to the mega project bill and aligning on infrastructure funding.”

Pritzker’s office also applauded the big step Wednesday night and looked forward to what would come next.

“Governor Pritzker has been clear and consistent for years that the Bears should remain in Illinois, and that any legislation needs to protect taxpayers,” the statement read. “Throughout the past few months, the Governor’s office brought team leadership, local officials and legislative partners to the table to craft a deal around public infrastructure improvements, property tax fairness, and affordability measures. Today is an important step, and the Governor’s office looks forward to working with the Illinois General Assembly to advance a bill that reflects our shared priorities.”

Lawmakers passed the bill that had originally been advanced by the House Revenue and Finance Committee at the end of February. But lawmakers had worked over the past few months to develop an agreement that would get enough votes to pass the legislation.

The biggest change in the amended legislation would allocate 50% of the receipts from the PILOT to property tax relief. Sixty percent of that amount would go to property tax rebates for residential homeowners in those taxing districts where a megaproject will be built. The rest would be deposited into the state’s existing property tax relief fund.

The newer version of the legislation also aimed at helping those who were worried about a higher tax burden on surrounding taxpayers. It will get rid of language that would count megaprojects at full market value while calculating local government borrowing limits and property tax cap formulas.

Other changes were aimed at earning votes from both Chicago and downstate lawmakers.

The bill would expand the tiers of projects aiming to redevelop rail yards, possibly helping win votes in Chicago. A couple of projects, including the One Central transit development near Soldier Field and the 14th Street railyard that billionaire Justin Ishbia reportedly wants for a redevelopment that might feature a future White Sox stadium, have been in the works in recent months.

There will also be another portion that would provide financial assistance toward the expansion of Springfield’s downtown convention center and an adjacent hotel.

Wednesday’s legislation also addressed how the state would help pay for the infrastructure improvements the Bears are looking for at the Arlington Heights location. The bill would create up to 9% surcharges on places within a Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bond district, such as hotels, music venues, and stadiums.

Illinois lawmakers have been under pressure to get a deal done since December, when Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren opened up the team’s stadium search to include Northwest Indiana. Indiana lawmakers passed and signed a bill into law in February to incentivize the Bears to move to Hammond just over the Illinois-Indiana border.

Both the Bears and the NFL have pushed for a quick resolution to the matter as well. Both Bears brass and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently said that they’d like to have a decision during the late spring or early summer.

The bill would help the Bears end a six-year search that started in 2021 when the team agreed to purchase the Arlington Heights property on the site of the former Arlington Park racecourse. There have been twists and turns throughout the process, including pivots back to Chicago before going back to Arlington Heights and now Northwest Indiana.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles heads into this month’s draft in a different position. For the first time since 2022, when Poles took over as general manager, the Bears won’t have a top-10 draft pick. But he’ll still have plenty of draft capital to work with.

The Bears have the No. 25 overall pick, two picks in the second round and one in the third. Chicago also has one fourth-round pick and two in the seventh.

Poles has different areas on the roster to address and build upon after last season’s run to the NFC divisional round. The Bears need to add to different parts of the defense and supplement an at-times explosive offense. But after a quieter free agency period than last offseason, Poles will focus on filling those holes in the draft.

Shaw Local has prepared a complete NFL draft guide for Bears fans with everything they need to know about the 2026 draft.

The NFL draft takes place April 23-25. The first round will begin at 7 p.m. on April 23. The following day, the draft will continue with the next two rounds beginning at 6 p.m. The draft will conclude with the final four rounds beginning at 11 a.m. on April 25.

Pittsburgh will host the draft for the third time overall but for the first time in the modern draft era. Pittsburgh will be the 10th city to host the draft since the NFL moved it from New York in 2015. Draft events will take place in the parking lots surrounding Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park.

The Bears currently hold seven picks in the draft. Poles could acquire more or trade some away over the next few weeks and during the draft. Here are the picks they currently have:

First round: No. 25 overall

Second round: No. 57 overall

Second round: No. 60 overall

Third round: No. 89 overall

Fourth round: No. 129

Seventh round: No. 239

Seventh round: No. 241

Here’s a breakdown of what happened to all of the Bears’ original 2026 picks and how they acquired any additional 2026 picks.

First round: No. 25 overall: Bears’ original first-round pick

Second round: No. 57 overall: Bears’ original second-round pick

Second round: No. 60 overall: acquired through a trade with the Bills for DJ Moore

Third round: No. 89 overall: Bears’ original third-round pick

Fourth round: No. 125: traded to Chiefs for Joe Thuney, who traded pick to Patriots

Fourth round: No. 129: acquired through a trade with the Rams

Fifth round: No. 165: traded to the Bills for Moore

Sixth round: No. 206: traded to the Browns for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Seventh round: No. 239: acquired through trade with the Browns from Eagles

Seventh round: No. 241: Bears’ original seventh-round pick

Here are the 32 first-round picks, as of now. These picks will take place on the opening night of the draft April 23.

No. 1 Raiders

No. 2 Jets

No. 3 Cardinals

No. 4 Titans

No. 5 Giants

No. 6 Browns

No. 7 Commanders

No. 8 Saints

No. 9 Chiefs

No. 10 Giants (from Bengals)

No. 11 Dolphins

No. 12 Cowboys

No. 13 Rams (from Falcons)

No. 14 Ravens

No. 15 Buccaneers

No. 16 Jets (from Colts)

No. 17 Lions

No. 18 Vikings

No. 19 Panthers

No. 20 Cowboys (from Packers)

No. 21 Steelers

No. 22 Chargers

No. 23 Eagles

No. 24 Browns (from Jaguars)

No. 25 Bears

No. 26 Bills

No. 27 49ers

No. 28 Texans

No. 29 Chiefs (from Rams)

No. 30 Dolphins (from Broncos)

No. 31 Patriots

No. 32 Seahawks

The draft will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network. It is also available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. It can be streamed with the ABC or ESPN apps.

Defining an exact time when the Bears will make their first pick at No. 25 is tricky. But it’s safe to say it will be a long night if the Bears don’t trade up.

It will come sooner than it would’ve have before, as teams are now allotted eight minutes per pick in the first round compared to 10 per pick last year. Although the Raiders know who they’re drafting with the No. 1 overall pick, they’ll likely take their full eight minutes to build suspense.

The No. 25 overall pick should be on the clock no later than 10:12 p.m. if the first 24 teams use their full eight minutes. It could be sooner, so Bears fans will want to start paying attention around 9:45 p.m.

The weekend’s draft events will be located around Acrisure Stadium in the North Shore neighborhood and Point State Park in the downtown area across the river.

The actual draft, where prospects are met by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, will take place at the Draft Theater, which will be next to Acrisure Stadium. Seating at the theater is for invited ticket holders, but fans could have an opportunity to be selected for standing room and other seating, depending on availability.

The NFL Draft Experience, a fan festival, will also take place throughout all three days of the draft. Set in the parking lots surrounding the stadium and Point State Park, fans can participate in interactive games, take photos at exhibits including the Lombardi Trophy, free player autograph sessions and more. The event is free, but fans need to register at nfl.com/draftaccess or via the NFL OnePass mobile app.

Fans attending the Draft Experience will have “sightlines” to the Draft Theater to watch every pick. There will be screens throughout as well. Draft Experience will be open from noon to 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Here’s a recent history of the Bears’ first-round picks dating back about 20 years.

2025: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan, 10th overall

2024: Caleb Williams, QB, USC, first overall; Rome Odunze, WR, Washington, ninth overall

2023: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee, 10th overall

2022: No pick (traded to the Giants to select Justin Fields)

2021: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State, 11th overall

2020: No pick (traded to the Raiders for Khalil Mack)

2019: No pick (traded to the Raiders for Khalil Mack)

2018: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia, eighth overall

2017: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina, second overall

2016: Leonard Floyd, Edge, Georgia, ninth overall

2015: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia, seventh overall

2014: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech, 14th overall

2013: Kyle Long, OT/OG, Oregon, 20th overall

2012: Shea McClellin, Edge, Boise State, 19th overall

2011: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin, 29th overall

2010: No pick (traded to the Broncos for Jay Cutler)

2009: No pick (traded to the Broncos for Jay Cutler)

2008: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt, 14th overall

2007: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami, 31st overall

2006: No pick (traded down in draft order with the Bills)

Dawczak had seen his plenty of film as a high school football coach over the years. At Marist, Dawczak had seen plenty of NCAA Division I talent in the ESCC and CCL/ESCC. He thought he knew what good tape looked like.

It’s what Dawczak thought he saw when he watched linebacker Jimmy Rolder’s tape heading into and during his senior season. But unlike other high school players who went on to play high-level college football, Rolder received only one scholarship offer to play collegiate football.

“I’ve got a kid here that’s 6-foot-2½ or 6-foot-3, 225 pounds at the time that could run like the wind and was just a phenomenal athlete and he didn’t have an opportunity ...” Dawczak, who was the head coach at Marist from 2017 to 2023, said. “I would go up and look at Hudl films of players from the area whose names I knew and compared their film to Jimmy’s. Jimmy’s film, in my eyes, was better than a lot of kids that had played Division I football at major programs.”

Dawczak tried to understand what he was missing. He spoke with countless college coaches and sent them the film looking for an answer.

They didn’t bite. Instead, they told him they’d continue to monitor Rolder.

Nearly five years later, Dawczak’s eye for talent will be proven right this weekend. After spending four seasons at Michigan and leading the Wolverines in tackles last season, Rolder will have a chance to be selected in the NFL draft in Pittsburgh this weekend.

It’s an opportunity that almost didn’t happen. A career in baseball seemed more in Rolder’s future than football. But a hectic three-week span during Rolder’s senior season changed the trajectory of his life.

“It’s just surreal,” Rolder said. “Obviously the NFL has been my dream. Since it’s right here in front of me, it just doesn’t feel real yet.”

Scott Kehoe first got a glimpse of Rolder’s potential from a young age.

Kehoe, Rolder’s stepfather who played offensive tackle at Illinois and spent a year in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, started coaching Rolder at around 8 or 9 years old when he played Pop Warner in Orland Park. Even at the beginning, the way Rolder approached football stood out to Kehoe.

“He had all the tools, the ability to bend his knees and run through people and all that type of stuff,” Kehoe said. “So I had confidence.”

Rolder seemed destined for a career playing professional football. His favorite player growing up was Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher. Any time Rolder wrote who he wanted to be as an adult, it was an NFL player.

But the national attention didn’t come for his football play early on at Marist. Colleges noticed Rolder for his play on the baseball diamond after his freshman season and that interest intensified over the next few years.

Rolder stood out at third base with his quick lateral movement from playing linebacker and his strong arm. But Rolder’s talent at the plate caught the attention of many college and professional scouts.

“He was definitely on some pro radars and had a good arm,” Marist baseball coach Kevin Sefcik said. “It was good power. ... He had some pop in his bat, so he definitely was a guy that was on people’s radar as far as even beyond college baseball.”

The same interest didn’t follow in football.

Rolder moved up to the varsity roster as a sophomore during the RedHawks playoff run in 2019 and Dawczak quickly realized how special he was. Rolder played in a nickel package as an outside linebacker. The coaching staff quickly noticed how Rolder could bend around the corner and maintain his speed, something NFL scouts look for in prospects.

Dawczak couldn’t wait to see what Rolder could do as a junior. But then everything stopped.

The COVID-19 pandemic paused the world at the beginning of 2020. The IHSA cancelled all spring sports that year and after a long, passionate debate, moved the football season to the spring of 2021. Marist finished 4-2 and Rolder did impress in his first varsity season. But Rolder didn’t get as much attention during a critical year of football recruiting.

Heading into his senior season, Rolder wasn’t sure if he’d play football collegiately. He held one football offer to play at Ball State. But Rolder had committed to play baseball at Illinois at the end of his sophomore season since he wasn’t sure what would happen next during the pandemic.

Rolder didn’t give up on his dream of playing football. Even as he traveled to baseball tournaments, he told Kehoe that he’d find a way to earn a Power Five offer.

“I wasn’t really sure if football was going to pan out,” Rolder recalled. “I didn’t even know if I was going to play football again in high school. So for me, it was like an option to fall back on, in case football didn’t work out. During that time, I loved baseball and I just felt like I might as well do it. If football happens, it happens. I was always going to keep pushing for football.”

Laura Kehoe couldn’t figure out why she was inside the Illinois football recruiting room in October of 2021.

She had come down to Champaign with Rolder, her son, and Scott for a small visit to Illinois before it took on Wisconsin. Illinois had shown some interest in Jimmy. But the room was full with other recruits and it felt like Jimmy would fall under the radar once again.

“I was just like, why are we here?” Laura said. “There were probably hundreds of kids. It was packed.”

Rolder had dedicated his summer leading up to his senior year to earning a Power Five offer. He trained and attended different camps, including ones at Penn State and Northwestern, in order to get more attention from college coaches.

The hard work translated to results on the field. Marist ran out to a 4-1 start to the season behind Rolder’s dominant play at linebacker. But the offers still didn’t come.

Scott, like Dawczak, couldn’t figure out what he was missing. He reached out to longtime national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming to find out what everyone was missing. Once Lemming watched the film, the answer was clear.

“He said, ‘Oh God, he’s definitely got it,’” Scott recalled. Lemming sent out Rolder’s tape to colleges and coaches became interested.

Back at Illinois, Laura had gone to the bathroom with the expectation that this visit would go like the others had in the past. But when she returned, Rolder told her they had to go upstairs. Illinois head coach Brett Bielema wanted to meet with them in his office.

Less than a couple hours before the Illini were set to kick off against the Badgers, Bielema finally rewarded Rolder. Illinois offered him his first Power Five scholarship to play football.

“It was just a surreal moment,” Rolder said. “It was just like my dreams unfolding in front of me, really the opportunity to go play football at the next level, everything I was working for that whole season. It was just happening in real time.”

What ensued was the most hectic three weeks of Rolder’s life and one of the most unique recruiting battles many coaches can remember.

Minnesota offered the next day. Michigan came in a few days later after then-head coach John Harbaugh got his hands on Rolder’s tape from a friend of Scott’s. Major programs like Ohio State, LSU, Florida, Iowa and Wisconsin each followed suit.

Rolder balanced the swell of sudden interest as he led Marist to the Class 8A state semifinals. He fit in campus visits during off days when he wasn’t on the field. He constantly talked to coaches on the phone, including to and from games.

Finally on Nov. 16, he made the decision that didn’t seem likely just a couple months before. Rolder committed to play football at Michigan.

“It’s weird,” Rolder said of the process. “I haven’t reflected on too much, but it is weird thinking back that this happened so quickly. Maybe it wasn’t like it came out of nowhere. But yeah, it’s a weird spot because football is always what I wanted to do and I was in such a groove that senior year. So when I hung up the baseball cleats, it definitely was a little weird. But I think I definitely made the right choice there.”

Brian Jean-Mary was excited to join the Michigan coaching staff as a linebackers coach/run game coordinator in 2024 for many reasons.

Rolder was a big one.

Jean-May was familiar with Rolder’s unique talent. He had recruited Rolder during those three weeks as the linebackers coach at Tennessee. While Jean-May couldn’t wait to work with Rolder, he also had a little bit of revenge on his mind.

“He didn’t pay us any mind,” joked Jean-May, who’s currently the linebackers/run game coordinator at Notre Dame. “He never even gave me a second thought when I tried to reach out to him. I was going to make it hard for him that first spring I was there because I felt like he kind of overlooked me as a coach at Tennessee.”

Jean-May was excited to coach Rolder because he had a unique skillset. At just over 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, Rolder was built like an old-school middle linebacker. But Roler ran like a new-school weakside linebacker who can go sideline-to-sideline.

“That’s rare in today’s football for a guy that can do both,” Jean-May said.

Rolder began his first three seasons at Michigan in a more reserved role as he battled injuries and starters who would eventually be drafted into the NFL. He played in 31 games mostly as a backup and on special teams and helped the Wolverines win the national championship in the 2023 season.

Jean-May and the Wolverines coaching staff felt Rolder could make a big jump heading into the 2025 season. He wasn’t going to start from the first game. But they believed Rolder could become a difference maker if he played up to his potential.

To prepare, Rolder did everything he could inside and outside Michigan’s facilities to prepare his body. Red light therapy. Cryotherapy. Intravenous therapy. Training room visits before and after practices and on off days. All of it.

The investment paid off. Rolder became a starter and developed into a dependable playmaker. He had the best year of his career and led Michigan with 73 tackles to go along with seven tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception.

He started 11 of the 12 games he played last year and earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors.

“I always knew I could do it and I knew in the back of my mind that I was in the right spot in here for a reason,” Rolder said. “So, yeah, it was just awesome being able to prove to everyone else and myself that I could do it at a high level.”

At the end of the 2025 season, Rolder had to make a decision. Did he want to declare for the NFL draft or come back for one last season with Michigan?

It’s become a difficult choice for many prospects in the era of the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness deals. Michigan and other schools were interested in Rolder and could’ve offered to pay him enough to stay around in the college game for another season.

But with such a close chance to realize his dreams of playing in the NFL, Rolder couldn’t pass on the opportunity.

“It was a tough decision,” Rolder said. “At the end of the season, I just had to sit down with all my mentors, my family, the coaches and really just gather all the opinions possible before making the decision. Then at the end of the day, I just decided to make the decision to declare and am very glad that I did that.”

Most analysts expect Rolder to be selected at some point this weekend. Many project Rolder to be taken in the fourth or fifth round. Some believe he can become a player who could begin as a backup but develop into a dependable starter.

Rolder will be an interesting prospect for teams. Although he’s started 11 games over four seasons, Rolder proved that he can be a versatile linebacker. He can play up the middle or in packages coming off the edge.

“I think what separates him is he’s a bigger guy who can also play in space,” Jean-May said. “He’s not foreign to lining up outside on a tight end and making tackles in space. That’s what the NFL game is now and he’s showing that he can do at a high level.”

Rolder will be grateful wherever he’s selected this weekend. He’s planning on spending the weekend with his family in Florida waiting to hear his name called.

Rolder hasn’t really considered how close he was to not realizing this moment had it not been for a hectic three-week span during his senior season. But he’s grateful someone found his value on tape and that he’ll have a chance to live out his dream of playing in the NFL.

“I think it’s just gonna be an awesome moment, just there with the people who got me to the point,” Rolder said. “It’s just going to be exciting and just going to be fun.”

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The Bears are in an interesting position heading into the three-day draft that will start Thursday in Pittsburgh. They won’t have a top-10 pick for the first time since 2022. But Chicago will have four draft selections in the top 89, starting with the No. 25 overall pick in the first round Thursday.

Neither Poles nor King gave away the team’s draft plans. But they did give some insight into how they’re thinking. Here are four of the most interesting things the Bears said Tuesday.

Poles will enter a big draft weekend. For the first time during his tenure as Bears GM, Poles will try to supplement a playoff roster as opposed to building from the ground up.

Although he only gave an opening statement Tuesday and didn’t take any questions, Poles felt comfortable with where the team stood heading into the weekend and how prepared it was for whatever could happen starting Thursday.

“I’ve got a ton of confidence things are going to work out just the way we planned them to be,” Poles said. “If things start to shift and move, we’re agile enough to make adjustments, if that’s moving up, moving back, we’ll be ready for anything that comes our way.”

The Bears will have a set approach when it comes to a specific type of prospect.

There are more prospects who are older coming into the league out of college because of Name, Image and Likeness and extra years of eligibility. Some of the prospects that have been linked to the Bears during the draft process, such as Miami edge Akheem Mesidor, will come into the NFL at 25.

King said it’s something the Bears will need to think more about in the future. But for now, they’re taking it on a case-by-case basis.

“How much tread’s on the tires?” King said. “Like, how’d they play? What’s their journey like? Have they had injuries? I think it’s always case-to-case, but something that we’ll definitely have to deal with going forward.”

The goal for the Bears after this weekend will be to add “competitors” to the roster. King said the best teams and players he’s been around have to compete daily, not just on Sundays. He wants to create a situation where the draft picks they add will make it hard to make roster decisions toward the start of the season.

They have a good idea of how they can find those types of players.

“I think it’s the silent tape,” King said. “When you put on tape, and the guys we probably get excited about the most is, you don’t have to read the character. You can see it. You can see how they compete, show up in big games, pick up their teammates, raise the level of their teammates’ games.”

Aside from competitors, the Bears have specific areas of need. Defensive end, defensive tackle, safety and left tackle are all major needs. Chicago could also look to supplement at cornerback, linebacker and the rest of the offensive line.

Poles has maintained a best-player-available approach for much of the draft process. But a position of need might beat out another position if everything else is equal.

“At the end of the day, you’re not going to go wrong by taking the best football player,” King said. “I think we all agree with that. And so if it’s somewhat on the same plane, maybe the positions come into play. But as we see it, we’re going to take the best football player for now and the future.”

Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s impact was clear during last year’s draft. Poles used three of his first four selections in the first two rounds to add playmakers on offense.

Even if the Bears don’t go with offense with most of their top picks this time around, Johnson will still have a big say in this weekend’s decisions.

“We take his opinion and weigh it heavily,” King said. “What he thinks matters. He’s the head coach of the football team. He’s an offensive play caller, and he has a good feel for the team, and we take that very seriously.”

The Bears’ scouting department has a much better understanding of what they’re looking for this year. The group knows what Johnson, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and special teams coordinator Richard Hightower are looking for more this time around compared to last year.

But that doesn’t mean that the Bears will be pigeonholed into specific players because of coaching styles. King said Bears coaches aren’t done evolving and being creative, which allows the scouting department to bring in players who might not specifically fit into what the Bears have right now.

“They know when to pivot,” King said. “They know when to be maybe ahead of the curve, when they feel like they’re behind the curve. And when you’re building a roster that helps, because we can now anticipate and stay ahead of some roster decisions down the road. It’s [Johnson’s] ability to adapt on the fly, both on Sunday, but now when we’re going through the draft board.”

King also addressed a couple of specific areas of need Tuesday.

The Bears will likely look for a starting safety after letting last year’s starters, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, leave in free agency. They did sign safety Coby Bryant this offseason, and King said the Bears felt comfortable with his flexibility and versatility, and that backups Cam Lewis and Elijah Hicks could start games as well.

“I think that we are in a position to where we can add to the room,” King said. “Sure, just like any other room. But we feel confident in the guys we have acquired and that we’ve had in the building where if we had to go play tomorrow we would.”

Chicago could also look for its center of the future this weekend. Drew Dalman created a hole when he suddenly decided to retire this offseason. Poles traded for veteran Garrett Bradbury this offseason, but he’ll have one year left on his contract.

Finding a new center won’t be easy. There are fewer options since many are staying in school longer, and it could force the Bears to select one sooner in the draft than normal, depending on how things unfold.

“They’re just getting harder and harder to find,” King said. “I don’t know if they’re getting developed, cross-trained as much in college as maybe they used to be, but it’s definitely something that we’ve talked about. There’s a little bit of a limited supply coming out of college right now.”

Yes, Edwards had won the veteran award the previous two seasons. But he felt his teammates needed to know something.

“You know, like anyone can get this award,” Edwards recalled saying Tuesday at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.

His teammates didn’t listen. Despite his humble joke, Bears players rewarded him with the veteran award for the third straight year. Tight end Colston Loveland won the rookie award.

“It’s crazy,” Edwards said. “I think I play this game, why I fell in love with this game, was respect of my peers. Respect of my teammates. To get something that’s solely based on what your teammates think, it’s incredible. I think just try to be myself, try to talk to everyone because it’s nice to go to work when you actually know and care for the people around you. So, it’s pretty easy to just come in and be yourself. So, it is cool.”

The Piccolo Award, named in honor of the former Bears running back who died of cancer, is voted on by Bears players, who select one veteran and one rookie teammate who they feel best exemplified the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Piccolo. Established in 1970 following Piccolo’s death, the award originally honored one rookie each season before it was expanded to include a veteran player in 1992.

Edwards’ third straight win came after a different season for the veteran linebacker. It came after he battled injuries for most of the season last year and still made a mark in the locker room.

He appeared in 10 games last season, the fewest he’s played in a season during his seven-year career. Edwards finished the season with 67 tackles, one interception returned for a touchdown and three quarterback hits.

The run of injuries continued in the playoffs as he suffered a fractured fibula in the team’s NFC Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers.

On Tuesday, Edwards said he felt great. He thought he had just rolled his ankle when the injury first happened. But since then, he’s worked hard to get back on the field sometime during the summer, even if he didn’t want to put out a specific timeline for his return.

“Knowing me, I will push as hard as I can to move it as quickly as possible, but I also want to be smart about it, too,” Edwards said. “It is April, and as hard as it is for me to not be out there during phase one, I know that I’m on a really good plan with the trainers. I’ll be ready when it’s time to go.”

Loveland made a big impact during his rookie season after Bears general manager Ryan Poles selected him No. 10 overall last year.

After a slower start, Loveland became quarterback Caleb Williams' go-to target in critical situations toward the end of last season and the playoffs. He led the team with 713 receiving yards and added six touchdowns.

The Bears are hoping Loveland can take another major step with a full offseason ahead of him. He missed most of last offseason as he recovered from a shoulder surgery and had to make up for lost time during training camp.

Loveland was honored to be recognized for the award. But for him, it just meant he has to do even better on the field and in the locker room next season.

“It just sets a new standard,” Loveland said. “Next year, how can I do a little more to become a better teammate? Yeah, it’s truly an honor. Beautiful speeches in there from everyone. It’s a blessing to be here.”

Monday marked the official start of the Bears turning the page on last season. Players and coaches will try to build on last season, when the team accomplished plenty of firsts in head coach Ben Johnson’s first season in charge, including reaching the NFC Divisional Playoff.

But a lot has changed after plenty of turnover because of trades and free agent signings. The Bears will now work on getting acclimated before the start of organized team activities at the end of May.

Here are four of the most interesting things the Bears said Monday.

On Monday, Williams entered a critical offseason program as he prepares for what will be an important season.

Williams proved that he could play to his potential under Johnson’s direction last season by leading seven comeback wins and a playoff win. Now the former No. 1 overall pick will need to elevate his game to another level to not only help his team go further in the playoffs but to earn himself a big contract next offseason.

“I would say for me, personally, it’s a big year in the sense that I get to grow more. I get to step into the role that I spoke about for the past two years being up here,” Williams said. “That’s important for me. I’m really excited. I’ve been itching to get back, honestly, since the [Rams] game, and trying not to text Ben too much or anything like that to be around it. Excited to be back.”

He’ll have the benefit of familiarity as he starts this offseason program. Although Williams will have to build a rapport with new center Garrett Bradbury, he won’t start from the ground up learning a new offense. Williams showed comfort in the offense late last season, which should continue to grow.

After a few months away from football, Williams looked forward to building off last season’s success with Johnson.

“He is going to push me,” Williams said. “I am going to push myself, and I’m going to push my teammates. And he’s going to push my teammates and things like that. We’re going to find ways to get better. We’re going to find ways to reach where we want to reach. That starts with the detail. That starts with the everyday. That starts with the week-to-week of finding ways to get better.”

Johnson’s mindset for this offseason became clear a few days after last season’s playoff run ended. The Bears were moving on and not resting on their laurels based on last season’s success.

Bears players embraced that mentality Monday. Instead of remembering how fun last year’s two home playoff games were, they focused on how to guarantee they can secure more of those games next season.

“We understand that Chicago and the city of Chicago is very excited about what happened last year, but last year is over with ...” tight end Cole Kmet said. “We’re looking to not only get back to where we were last year with a chance to go to the NFC Championship game, but to exceed that and go win a Super Bowl.”

New veterans such as safety Coby Bryant and center Garrett Bradbury echoed their new team’s motto. Both Bryant and Bradbury played against each other in last season’s Super Bowl, with Bryant’s Seattle Seahawks beating Bradbury’s New England Patriots.

Neither player thought it would be too hard to move on from their successes last year.

“Once I sign here, everything I’ve done in Seattle is behind me, honestly,” Bryant said. “I’m looking forward to, like I said, being a part of this team and this organization. Plenty of special things are ahead of us, just scratching the surface and taking it one day at a time.”

Chicago’s large roster turnover means different players are going to have to fill leadership roles.

The Bears lost leaders such as center Drew Dalman, safety Kevin Byard and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds over the offseason. They will rely on returning players like Kmet and new players like Bryant to fill those voids.

“Biggest thing right now is I just need to lead by example,” Bryant said. “I feel like the guys need to see my work ethic, which is nothing new, honestly. I’ve always been that guy, lead by example first and then be more vocal, and then, once they see the work ethic and me making plays, et cetera, then they’ll start to gravitate towards it.”

Williams has taken more of a leadership role as well.

Both Bryant and Bradbury said that Williams reached out to them after the team acquired them during the offseason. It’s not uncommon for a quarterback to want to speak to his future center. But it’s less common for the quarterback to reach out to a team’s defensive signing, something Bryant called rare and a sign of the kind of leader Williams is at a young age.

Williams felt it was important for him to reach out as he takes a bigger leadership role this offseason.

“I think it’s important for me to be able to reach out as one of the guys on the team, one of the leaders on the team, and also I want to know, I want to be cool with all my teammates in that sense of, I’m no bigger than them,” Williams said. “I’m just a teammate. I’m one of the guys in the locker room. We have one common goal – it’s to win here. I think my reaching out is just setting the vibes, setting the energy for what we need them to be here."

The Bears had to make some tough roster decisions during the offseason to manage their salary cap. They traded wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills and didn’t re-sign Edmunds. But the Bears kept some players who were considered to be potential cap casualties.

Kmet was one of those players. Kmet is set to have an $11.6 million cap hit this year with a $3.2 million dead cap hit if the team cuts him after June 1, according to Over The Cap. But after meeting with Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles at the end of last season, Kmet didn’t think he would be anywhere else.

“Look, Ryan and Ben, I really take them at their word for what they say,” Kmet said. “They’re very honest guys. They expressed an interest in me being here, staying here and all that. But I also understand if an offer comes across their plate for them to make a move or them to make a change, they would definitely do that. No, I never really felt I would be playing anywhere else this year.”

Kmet instead will turn his attention to replicating the success he and tight end Colston Loveland had last season.

The duo became one of the NFL’s best. Loveland led the team with 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season, while Kmet embraced his role as a run-blocker and made critical catches down the stretch.

On the surface, it might’ve made sense not to keep two starting tight ends with cap restraints. But the Bears showed how much they value two-tight end sets and how important it is to the offense’s success.

“I think the two tight ends are paramount, and I saw that,” Kmet said. “It might not always be in the passing game. There were a lot of things I had to do in pass pro and the run game that proved to be very valuable for the team. I saw that, and more importantly, Ben and Ryan really recognized that as well.”

The move doesn’t come as a surprise. Bears general manager Ryan Poles had until May 1 to pick up Wright’s fifth-year option and didn’t show any signs he wouldn’t after Wright had a career year last season.

Wright lived up to his potential with the best season of his career since Poles selected him No. 10 overall in 2023. After a slow start, partly due to an early elbow injury last year, Wright took a major step in his development.

He made huge improvements in his run-blocking on the right side of the line alongside right guard Jonah Jackson. At times, the Bears focused on running to the right side during games, which allowed them to have one of the best running games in the NFL.

Wright also improved his pass blocking and protection of quarterback Caleb Williams. He allowed a career-low three sacks all season, and had a nine-game span where he didn’t allow a sack. He earned his first All-Pro honors last season with a spot on the Second Team.

Poles will now need to decide how soon he wants to work out a contract extension with Wright. It could come as soon as this offseason and it might be wise for Poles to get it done sooner rather than later, as the value in offensive linemen has increased exponentially over the past few offseasons.

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Bears general manager Ryan Poles will face an interesting choice if he stays at No. 25 overall, or if he chooses to trade up or down. He’ll try to build upon a breakout season for the Bears under head coach Ben Johnson.

Poles could address various holes on defense, whether that’s on the defensive line or in the secondary, after he used his top draft capital on the offense last year. But he might also supplement to Johnson’s offense by selecting a left tackle for the future.

One thing has been clear about Poles’ approach heading into the draft: He’s taking the best player available. Although there are some positions that have more dire needs than others, Poles won’t shy away from taking the best players like he did with tight end Colston Loveland in the first round last year.

The draft will start on April 23 in Pittsburgh and continue over the next two days.

Shaw Local’s Michal Dwojak projects how the first round of this year’s draft will unfold. Below is his second and final mock draft.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles could go in various directions with his first-round selection at No. 25 overall. He might address different holes defensively, whether that’s on the defensive line or in the secondary. Poles might also boost head coach Ben Johnson’s offense by selecting a starting left tackle.

It’s also not a forgone conclusion that Poles will stay at No. 25. Poles has had a history of making trades during the draft, and he’ll have four picks in the top 89 to work with in a potential trade. He added another second-round pick when he acquired it from the Buffalo Bills in trading them DJ Moore.

Although at No. 25, it might be hard to move up or down. It would be easier to jump up since the Bears have two second-round picks. But the Bears would need a partner to want to move down, which is easier said than done. Poles might also want to keep all his picks and bring in as much high-end talent as possible.

But if a team is interested, here are some possible options for Poles to make a trade in the first round.

Team: New York Jets

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25 and No. 60 (second round) to Jets for No. 16

The Moore trade gives Poles valuable currency to move up into the top-20 if there’s a prospect that he believes could be a difference-maker in their rookie season. A draft class’ talent usually takes a dip later in the first round. So it might be worth it for Poles to give up the one he acquired if he wants to pick up one of the top players in a position the Bears need.

The Jets feel like a great partner who’d be willing to trade down. New York owns the No. 2 overall pick, and this trade would give the Jets three picks in the second round this year. It also doesn’t hurt that this trade would help the Bears jump one pick in front of NFC North rival Detroit.

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25 and No. 89 (third round) to Cowboys for No. 20 and No. 180 (fifth round)

If the Bears don’t want to give up one of their second-round picks, they still have a good chance to move up to the top-20. This could happen if there’s a run on a position the Bears need that they didn’t expect, most likely at offensive tackle or safety. Detroit, Minnesota and Carolina could all make moves that might make Poles want to move up.

The Cowboys are another good trade-up candidate since they own two first-round picks like the Jets. Dallas might try to get one, but jumping up five spots shouldn’t cost Poles a second-round pick. This trade would give the Cowboys two shots in the third round and secure the Bears a talent they might covet.

Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25, No. 129 (fourth round) and 2027 sixth-round pick to Chargers for No. 22

Poles could get itchy if a player he really likes is still around entering the 20s. Los Angeles, Philadelphia (No. 23) and Cleveland (No. 24) all have similar needs as the Bears, primarily at offensive tackle and edge. The Browns could also trade their pick since it’ll be their second of the first round, which could make things more complicated.

Los Angeles might find it worth trading down a few spots to earn more draft picks. The Chargers have five picks entering the draft, so adding another fourth-round pick wouldn’t hurt. If there’s a push to trade up by other teams, they could turn their return into a third, something the Bears might not be interested in doing.

Team: Arizona Cardinals

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25 and No. 129 (fourth round) to Cardinals for No. 34 (second round) and No. 65 (third round)

As much as trading up might be tough, trading down would be harder. Usually, the talent at the bottom of the first round and the top of the second round isn’t dramatic enough to give up draft capital to get back into the first round. But teams could get desperate if they believe in a prospect.

Arizona could be one of those teams as they search for a quarterback. The Cardinals won’t take one at No. 3 overall. But if the Cardinals believe in a quarterback such as Alabama’s Ty Simpson, they could do what the New York Giants did last year and come back into the first round to get their franchise quarterback. The Jets could also create a similar package for the same reason.

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25 and No. 89 (third round) to Falcons for No. 48 (second round), No. 79 (third round) and a 2027 first-round pick

Another potential group of trade-down candidates are teams that don’t have a first-round pick. Atlanta, Denver, Green Bay, Jacksonville and Indianapolis all belong to that group. A trade between Poles and former Bears assistant GM and current Falcons GM Ian Cunningham could come to fruition if the circumstances are right.

The Rams and Falcons pulled off a similar trade as this with former Falcons GM Terry Fontenot in charge last year. It would result in the Bears not picking until No. 48 overall. But if Poles doesn’t see a huge gap in talent by dropping to the middle of the second round with two more picks later in that round, it might be worth adding a future first-round pick.

Despite all the mock drafts, there’s not a whole lot of clarity about who Bears general manager Ryan Poles will select at No. 25 in a week. There’s never going to be much consensus on a player when a team selects so late in the first round. But there’s not even a consensus position that analysts believe Chicago will address.

Poles could go in several directions. The Bears have obvious needs on the defensive line and in the secondary. But Poles could also boost head coach Ben Johnson’s offense with another first-round selection.

So who will the Bears select with the No. 25 pick? Here’s a look at the most recent mock drafts.

Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Kiper wrote (April 15): “The Bears’ attempts to give Montez Sweat a running mate off the edge have fallen short, but Young could finally be the answer. He piled up 6.5 sacks, 46 pressures and 18 tackles for loss last season, showing a mix of power and quickness. The Bears are suddenly legit contenders in the NFC, but their 35 sacks last season tied for seventh fewest in the league. I mentioned this in my last mock draft – in which I also had Young to Chicago – but it’s worth repeating: The Bears haven’t used a top-50 pick on an edge rusher since Leonard Floyd went ninth in 2016. It’s time to get a little more aggressive at the position during the draft."

T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

Brugler wrote (April 15): “The Bears have the edge rushers to line up today and play competitive football, but they would love to add another talented pass rusher to their rotation. Parker didn’t quite have the 2025 season many expected, but his motor and leveraged power led to disruption against the pass and run.”

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Filice wrote (April 13): “Free agency devoured nearly the entire safety position from last year’s NFC North championship roster. Chicago did add Super Bowl champ Coby Bryant – who’ll take over for Kevin Byard at free safety – but the Bears still need an enforcer to replace Jaquan Brisker. Insert the 6-3 1/2, 201-pound McNeil-Warren, who throws his body around and turns the ball over (SEE: 13 takeaways over the past three years)."

Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

Renner wrote (April 13): “Faulk fits perfectly with the Bears’ long and physical edge room. He can be an early-down edge-setter, allowing emerging talent Austin Booker to focus on pass-rushing downs.”

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

McDonald wrote (April 13): “Chicago could use an impact safety on its defense as it tries to even out some of the problems that plagued the unit last season. The Bears made a lot of splash plays, but down-to-down consistency escaped them throughout the season. Chicago has some nice pieces in the secondary, and plugging in Thieneman could be the last piece it needs in that area before attacking the defensive line.”

T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote (April 13): “As someone who consistently looks to walk back whoever stands in front of him, Parker seems like he was built to brawl in the NFC North. The Bears’ pass rush has some promise but can’t afford to pin its hopes on Dayo Odeyingbo’s resurgence after a torn Achilles or a breakout from Austin Booker.”

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Rang wrote (April 13): “With all due respect, the Bears haven’t really been the “Monsters of the Midway” on defense for quite some time. The last Chicago linebacker selected to the Pro Bowl was both Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs back in 2011, with the former also being the last to make first-team All-Pro 20 years ago. Hill has the range and rush skills to compete for those honors and would give the Bears defense some much-needed teeth."

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Schrager wrote (April 7): Proctor is a mass of humanity. He weighed in at 358 pounds at his pro day -- but he can move. If he keeps his weight down, Proctor has as much upside as any tackle in this class. And frankly, I think he is going earlier than No. 25. But with Ozzy Trapilo out and Braxton Jones' uneven play, Chicago would be happy with this outcome. General manager Ryan Poles is often credited for the Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey picks in Kansas City, and he has the chance to add another star to the list.

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Kiper wrote (April 2): “Best player available and checking off a need – that’s a win late in Round 1. At his best, Woods is a penetrating 3-technique who would help the Bears’ run defense (5.0 yards allowed per carry, 29th) and pass rush (35 sacks, tied for 22nd).”

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Baumgardner wrote (April 6): “A dynamic athlete, not only is McNeil-Warren (6-3, 209) ripping with hybrid potential, but he’s also capable of playing either safety spot. DT is also a need for the Bears, but McNeil-Warren – and his tremendous instincts against the run – would be hard to pass up at No. 25."

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Davis wrote (April 6): “Need a Monster of the Midway? How about a 6-foot-4, 200-pound DB with a penchant for big hits and finding the ball? And it certainly seems like the Bears could use one with All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker leaving the back line during free agency. McNeil-Warren and recently signed Coby Bryant could equate to a nice recovery plan.”

Poles didn’t have a first-round pick in 2022 when he took over as Bears general manager. This time around, Poles will have different areas on the roster to address and build upon last season’s NFC divisional appearance.

A year after using most of his top draft capital on the offense, Poles will likely use his top draft selections to bolster the defense. He’s also made it clear he’ll take the best player available as opposed to looking for a certain position.

The draft will start on April 23 in Pittsburgh and continue over the next two days.

Shaw Local’s Michal Dwojak projects how the first round of this year’s draft will unfold. Below is his first mock draft.

General manager Ryan Poles will not have a draft pick in the top-10 for the first time since 2022 and the second time in his tenure as GM. But he will have plenty of draft capital, which includes the No. 25 overall pick. The draft takes place from April 23 to April 25.

Poles could address roster needs on defense or even some on offense in the first round. With a pick so late in the opening round, Poles will need to see who’s available when deciding which one of those holes he’ll want to fill first.

Shaw Local is taking a look at several potential prospects who could fit the Bears’ needs in the draft at No. 25. Here’s how Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor could work for the Bears.

The Bears had an obvious need at left tackle heading into last year’s draft and even at points during last season. They’ll enter this year’s draft with a need at left tackle once again, even if it’s not as obvious as it was before.

Chicago started four different players at left tackle last season. Braxton Jones was the starter for the first four games before Theo Benedet took over for a stint midway through the season. One of the Bears’ second-round picks from last year’s draft, Ozzy Trapilo, stepped in and became the starter for six games and one playoff game before he injured his patellar tendon in the NFC Wild Card. Left guard Joe Thuney started at left tackle in the team’s NFC divisional game.

Trapilo showed signs of being a dependable starter during his time in the role. He held his own in both pass-blocking and run-blocking despite being moved between left tackle and right tackle during training camp and the season.

But Trapilo’s recovery timeline is up in the air. Poles said Trapilo would return later next season, while head coach Ben Johnson left open the possibility that Trapilo might not return next year. It’s a question of how Trapilo will play when he does return.

The Bears made some moves to fortify the position until Trapilo comes back. They re-signed Benedet and Jones this offseason and brought in former top-10 draft pick Jerdrick Wills Jr., but they might want something more concrete for the future and use their first-round pick to solve the yearly uncertainty.

Johnson’s first year with the Bears showed how important a good offensive line is to the success of the rest of the offense. That’s why securing the left tackle position might be more of a focal point for the Bears this offseason than previously thought.

Proctor is an enticing prospect. At 6-foot-7, 352 pounds and with a 33 3/8-inch arm length, he has all the traits the Bears would want to protect quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside. Proctor has shown that he can knock defenders back with a pop and can block downhill to create gaps, which the Bears would like for their running game.

He also comes with a wealth of experience. Proctor started 40 games over three seasons for the Crimson Tide, playing in some of the biggest collegiate games. Last year, he earned Second Team AP All-American, First Team All-SEC, was the co-winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC’s top offensive lineman and was a finalist for the Lombardi Award, the nation’s top lineman.

There are some concerns. Proctor struggled to make a decision on who to block when the defender wasn’t in front of him at times. That led to pass rushers getting around him with a quick move off the snap.

It’s hard to tell exactly where a prospect like Proctor will land in the draft. That’s become evident as we get closer to the actual draft.

For most of the draft process, the questions about Proctor’s game made him a late first-round pick. Many analysts thought he would go in the 20s, with some projecting him to be taken in the late teens.

But that’s changed over the past few weeks. Proctor has been linked to the Bears in some mock drafts at No. 25. Yet more and more analysts believe Proctor will be gone by then, as teams could find it hard to pass on a physical prospect like Proctor. Some have moved him up to a top-10 pick.

When the run at offensive tackle starts, it will also determine whether he’ll be around for the Bears. If some offensive tackles are taken in the top-10, that could move Proctor up. But if some tackles aren’t taken until later, that’ll push him back.

To put it more succinctly, it’ll be a toss-up whether Proctor will be around for the Bears.

General manager Ryan Poles will not have a draft pick in the top-10 for the first time since 2022 and for the second time in his tenure as general manager. But he will have plenty of draft capital, which includes the No. 25 overall pick.

Poles could address roster needs on defense or even some on offense in the first round. With a pick so late in the opening round, Poles will need to see who’s available when deciding which one of those holes he’ll want to fill first.

Shaw Local is taking a look at several prospects who could fit the Bears’ needs at No. 25. Here’s how Missouri edge rusher Zion Young could fit with the Bears.

The Bears’ defense created the most takeaways and interceptions in the NFL last season. They did it despite not getting much consistent pressure from the defensive line.

Chicago struggled to get to the quarterback for much of the season. The defense finished tied for 22nd with 35 sacks last season despite blitzing 25.8% of the snaps, which tied for the 11th-most. The line also allowed opponents to average 134.5 rushing yards per game, which was the sixth-most last year.

Lead pass rusher Montez Sweat had one of his best seasons and finished with 10 sacks, which tied for 15th in the league. But Sweat hasn’t gotten much support opposite him. Last year’s top free agent acquisition, Dayo Odyingbo, didn’t make much of an impact before missing the second half of the season because of injury. Austin Booker flashed at times but showed that he might be more of a rotational option.

The need for a pass rusher is evident, whether that’s addressed in the first or second round.

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes his edge rushers to be long and athletic. A player who can help stop the run as well as set pressure off the edge. Young might be exactly who Allen is looking for later this month.

At 6-foot-6, 262 pounds with a 33-inch arm length, Young has the length that can make life difficult for opposing offensive linemen. Young also plays with speed and a fierce style, bringing energy to the field that the Bears would love to add to their locker room.

He recently turned 22 and started his career at Michigan State before elevating his game at Missouri over the past two seasons. Young played in 13 games last season for the Tigers and became a menace to stop. He finished with a career-high 6.5 sacks to go along with 16.5 tackles for loss.

Young has had a couple of run-ins with the law that he’ll need to clear up during the draft process. Police charged Young and six other Michigan State players with misdemeanor assault in 2022 after a video showed him and other Spartans players assaulting a Michigan player in a stadium tunnel after a game. He eventually entered a plea deal to have the charges dropped.

He was also arrested for driving while intoxicated and speeding in December and charged in January.

The answer for most of these prospects will likely be it’s hard to say for sure. With 24 other picks taking place before the Bears, a lot of different scenarios could play out by the time Chicago makes its first pick.

At this point in the draft process, the short answer is most likely yes. Young isn’t considered the best edge rusher in the draft and isn’t expected to be a top-10 or even a top-20 pick based on most mock drafts. Some mock drafts don’t consider Young to be a first-round pick, so it’s more than likely that Young will be there if the Bears want him.

But Young’s stock could rise quickly as draft night progresses based on how some teams choose to view what’s available in a deep edge rusher class. If more teams start to grab edge rushers earlier, Young could be a hot commodity sooner rather than later.

General manager Ryan Poles will not have a draft pick in the top-10 for the first time since 2022 and the second time in his tenure as GM. But he will have plenty of draft capital, which includes the No. 25 overall pick. The draft takes place from April 23 to April 25.

Poles could address several roster needs on defense or even some on offense in the first round. With a pick so late in the opening round, Poles will need to see who’s available when deciding which one of those holes he’ll want to fill first.

Shaw Local is taking a look at several potential prospects who could fit the Bears’ needs in the draft at No. 25. Here’s how Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods could work for the Bears.

Chicago had clear needs on the defensive line heading into the offseason. Even with a few free agent signings, Poles should be looking to upgrade the line in the draft with his top picks, including the defensive tackle position.

The Bears didn’t get consistent production from the middle of the defensive line for much of last season. The line allowed opponents to rush for an average of 134.5 yards per game, which was the sixth-most last year. The line also struggled to pressure the quarterback, finishing tied for 22nd with 35 sacks last season despite blitzing 25.8% of snaps, which tied for the 11th-most.

Last year’s starting tackles Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter flashed at times. Dexter finished second on the Bears last year with a career-high six sacks and had 11 quarterback hits and six tackles for loss while playing every game last season. Jarrett dealt with injuries during his first season in Chicago but played in 14 games. He had 1.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits and one tackle for loss.

Those numbers aren’t terrible, but it’s clear the Bears need more from the middle of the defensive line to create opportunities for the outside. With Dexter entering the last year of his rookie deal and Jarrett turning 33 later this month, Poles will be looking for young talent to add to the mix.

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen looks for versatile tackles who can be disruptors from the middle of the line with their athleticism. Woods has the frame that could help him make an impact.

Woods entered Clemson as one of the best high school prospects in the country. He flashed his talent at times during his college career, but failed to put up elite numbers last season to be considered a top-10 pick in this year’s draft. During his junior season last fall, Woods had 30 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, along with two sacks. He earned Second Team AP All-American honors to go along with First Team All-ACC for that season.

The lack of production might not scare away the Bears, especially at No. 25. At 6-foot-2, 298 pounds and a 31 1/4-inch arm length, Woods is a powerful athlete who explodes off the line. He plays with quickness and has versatility, giving him the traits that could make him an impact player during his rookie season at different points of the line. Woods also proved that he can stop the run, something the Bears desperately need.

If the Bears believe in those traits more than the college numbers and think they can develop Woods to play up to his potential, he could end up becoming a steal late in the first round.

The answer for most of these prospects has been it’s hard to say for sure. With 24 other picks taking place before the Bears, a lot of different scenarios could play out by the time Chicago makes its first pick.

It seems like a coin flip whether Woods will still be around when the Bears make their pick at No. 25 if they don’t trade up. Woods has been a player who seems like he’ll be selected in the early 20s or even squeak in the late 10s. But he’s also been a prospect that’s dropped out of the first round for some analysts.

There’s been some recent smoke about the Bears taking him. Woods has been linked to the Bears in plenty of recent mock drafts at No. 25. So if the Bears want him, it feels like a 50-50 chance that he’ll be there for them.

General manager Ryan Poles will not have a draft pick in the top-10 for the first time since 2022 and the second time in his tenure as GM. But he will have plenty of draft capital, which includes the No. 25 overall pick. The draft takes place from April 23 to April 25.

Poles could address different roster needs on defense or even some on offense in the first round. With a pick so late in the opening round, Poles will need to see who’s available when deciding which one of those holes he’ll want to fill first.

Shaw Local is taking a look at several potential prospects who could fit the Bears’ needs in the draft at No. 25. Here’s how Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could work for the Bears.

Chicago entered the offseason needing to fill two starting and two backup safety spots after all four contributors from last season were set to be free agents this year. The Bears are still looking to fill at least one of those holes in the draft.

Poles found one of those starting spots when he signed Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant to a three-year deal. He also decided to bring back backup Elijah Hicks and sign Cam Lewis from the Buffalo Bills, who should serve as a backup and special teamer. Last year’s Bears’ starters signed with different teams. Kevin Byard inked a deal with the New England Patriots, while Jaquan Brisker went to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bears will be looking for a starting safety in the draft to play opposite Bryant. Depending on who’s around, that could happen as quickly as No. 25 or any time after.

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made one thing clear during his first season with the team last season: He likes size and length in his secondary. Two players the Bears signed and drafted last year, cornerback Nahshon Wright and safety Zah Frazier, filled that mold.

McNeil-Warren would fit the bill, too. At 6-foot-3.5, 201 pounds and with a 32 1/8-inch arm length, he’s not only proven to be an asset in coverage but also shown that he can help out in the run defense by playing at the line of scrimmage. He plays with a physicality and speed that will match what Allen wants his defense to look like, especially in the secondary.

During his time in Toledo, McNeil-Warren also proved that he had an eye for the ball. He intercepted five passes over four seasons with Toledo and forced nine fumbles. During his senior season, McNeil-Warren finished with 5.5 tackles for loss as well as half a sack, which helped him earn Second Team All-American honors.

There’s a good chance that McNeil-Warren will be around when the Bears pick at No. 25. In fact, most recent mock drafts have predicted that Chicago will select him in the first round.

McNeil-Warren has been ranked as one of the best safety prospects in the draft. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs has been the consensus top safety in the draft throughout much of the evaluation process. But McNeil-Warren has traded off with Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman as No. 2 and No. 3, depending on where you look.

There’s a good chance that McNeil-Warren will be there at No. 25. Downs is expected to be a top-10 draft pick, while Thieneman has been mocked to go to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 18 a lot. So if Poles believes in McNeil-Warren, they’ll likely have the ability to choose him.