With eight picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears added a bevy of young, athletic talent to not only complement their current roster but to also elevate it. After starting the season 4-2, the 'Monsters of the Midway' dropped 10 straight games and would miss the NFL playoffs once more.
As the Bears signed the Detroit Lions' former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be the new head coach, he brought on his own staff including new offensive and defensive coordinators.
The quarterback of the future is in place with last year's top NFL pick, Caleb Williams. Chicago made bold moves to upgrade their offensive line by adding Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Receivers DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and star tight end Cole Kmet return for the Bears, as well.
Chicago added tight end Coleston Loveland (Michigan) with the tenth-overall selection last month. They added wide receiver Luther Burden (Missouri), offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College)
and defensive tackle Shemar Turner (Texas A&M) in the next round of the draft.
Was There Someone Who the Bears Overlooked in Draft Process?
While PFF.com reports that the 39th overall pick, Burden, was one of the steals of the second round, Chicago appears to have moved on from veteran wideout Keenan Allen. Thus, taking the former Aggie receiver made sense.
Chicago was ranked towards the bottom of the league in 2024 when it came to rushing yards. Their run offense lacked punch and productivity with the losses of quarterback Justin Fields and running back David Montgomery.
"There's nobody out there that can stop me. Nobody respects the fact that I'm the best running back in the country."Cam Skattebo, rookie NY Giants fullback
As holes to their offensive line and defensive front were addressed, the Bears may have hurt their playoff aspirations when they did not take this college standout.
There were 104 players taken before this Arizona State Sun Devil running back. Cam Skattebo slid all the way to the fourth round in the NFL Draft.
Year/ Season | Carries | Rushing Yards | Rush TDs | Catches | Receiving Yards | Rec. TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 57 | 520 | 6 | 12 | 124 | 1 |
2022 | 195 | 1,372 | 7 | 31 | 371 | 3 |
2023 | 164 | 783 | 9 | 24 | 286 | 1 |
2024 | 293 | 1,711 | 21 | 45 | 605 | 3 |
The Rio Linda, California native produced big during his tenure in the NCAA. He started out with the Sacramento State Hornets for two years. He made major jumps statistically after his first season.
Then, Skattebo transferred to ASU and also saw big production out there in Tempe, Arizona. Only Heisman Award winner Ashton Jeanty had more yards in 2024 than the 105th overall pick.
If the Bears selected Skattebo, their rushing offense would have been scarier than it is now. D'Andre Swift failed to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark and only found the endzone six times in 2024. Backup running back Roschon Johnson scored as many times as Swift but recorded just 150 rushing yards on 55 carries.
Five of the top six rushing offenses were in the NFC. Three of those five NFC teams made it to the Divisional round of the playoffs. Two of those five NFC teams, the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers, are also in the NFC North with the Bears.
"Whatever NFL team takes me is going to get a gem. I'm doing at the highest level, it's simple. I believe that I'm the best because I always think I'm the best."Cam Skattebo, 105th pick 2025 NFL Draft
In order to have a more successful season, the Bears need to strengthen their run offense. They failed to do so in the NFL Draft. The New York Giants capitalized on Skattebo's slide.
The two teams play each other at Soldier Field this season. Chicago may experience regret and remorse first hand when Skattebo and the NY Giants visit the Bears this season.