The Chicago Bears used last offseason to fix their offensive line and provide head coach Ben Johnson with weapons for his scheme. After an NFC North championship in Year 1, things are trending in the right direction in that aspect of the game. Now, GM Ryan Poles can focus all of his efforts on doing the same for the unit on the other side of the field, Chicago's defense.
Armed with seven picks -- including No. 25 overall and two 2nd-round selections -- the Bears can make the most of a deep pass-rushers class to solve their primary defensive issues. According to ESPN NFL Draft expert Matt Miller, they will have plenty of options to choose from.
"But would it be a surprise to see as many as nine edge rushers (going in the first round)? Not with this class," Miller wrote. "There is a lack of top prospects at other premium positions and a need for rotational pass rushers in the NFL, especially from playoff teams selecting in the back end of the round."
The Bears Can Solve Their Pass-Rushing Woes in the NFL Draft
Missouri's Zion Young will most likely be up for grabs by the time the Bears are on the clock at No. 25. However, as Miller mentioned, promising prospects like Akheem Mesidor, Cashius Howell, R Mason Thomas, and T.J. Parker could also be available. Of course, the top-tier guys like David Bailey, Arvell Reese, and Reuben Bain Jr. will be long gone, but they should still be just fine with whoever they land.
The Bears' front seven failed to generate meaningful pressure on the quarterback last season. Their sack percentage of 6.05 percent ranked 23rd in the league, as only two players reached at least 5.0 sacks (Gervon Dexter, 6.0, and Montez Sweat, 10.0) for the season.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen needs another strong pass rusher opposite Sweat. They could always target Cameron Jordan in free agency, given his ties to Allen from their days with the New Orleans Saints, but landing a rookie will obviously be a long-term solution. That said, they can always do both, and Jordan could be an elite mentor for any rookie, but that type of move would probably have to wait until after the NFL Draft.
Chicago's defense gave up 227.2 passing yards and 24.4 points per game last season, ranking 22nd and 23rd in the league, respectively. That's what happens when opposing quarterbacks have all day to sit in the pocket, and the pool of QBs inside the NFC North has only gotten more talented this offseason.
The Bears will face Jordan Love, Jared Goff, and -- most likely -- Kyler Murray twice this coming season, so Chicago can't afford to give that trio as much time to get settled as was allowed in 2025. Poles has a perfect opportunity to address their primary roster need in the draft, and with so many promising options, it is hard to think of an avenue they could take that would be wrong.