The Chicago Bears bye week happens to be the half way point of the 2026 season. So, it is a good time to look back at the 2026 draft class and see where the group stands. How have the rookies looked and what are expectations moving forward?
Setting Expectations for Chicago Bears Rookies in Second Half
Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman has been starting all season. The bye week should be a good chance for him to reset and have a strong second half of the season. The secondary around him should be much improved compared to the beginning of the season and the front has Jeffery Simmons. Thieneman should be a lot better.
Logan Jones
Jones only has six snaps so far this season. Garrett Bradbury has held things down early in the year, but he has hit a few bumps in the road. It could lead to the team moving onto Jones after the bye week.
Sam Roush
Roush has been mostly a disappointment who has looked overwhelmed so far this season. He has been thrust into a bigger role in the past two weeks due to the injury to Cole Kmet. The bye week will be more valuable to him than others, as he will be asked to hold down the second tight end spot to finish the year.
Zavion Thomas
Thomas has barely seen the field on offense and when he did get on the field he took a bad penalty and was benched shortly after. Thomas has provided on special teams, and is not quite in the Velus Jones tier of asset. However, the team has to find ways to get him more involved on offense to close out the year.
Malik Muhammad
Muhammad has been the best pick the team has made. He has started on the outside and in the slot. With Kyler Gordon back, he should hold down a starting outside spot when the team gets out of the bye week. Muhammad has been injured since Week 7 but it does not appear to be long-term.
Keyshaun Elliott
Elliott was injured in training camp but has made an impact on special teams.
Jordan van den Berg
The sixth-round pick saw his snaps reduce with the addition of Jeffery Simmons. Kentavius Street is now out, but the team got Shemar Turner back and he will slide inside at times. Still, van den Berg could take on a few more snaps to close out the year.
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