At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Chicago Bears are beginning preparations for the 2026 NFL Draft without a top-10 pick for the first time in years, marking a shift in their approach. This new phase comes alongside rising Tyson Bagent trade rumors, as the Bears consider various roster moves to strengthen their bid for Super Bowl contention.
General Manager Ryan Poles and Head Coach Ben Johnson discussed the team’s direction during press conferences Tuesday, revealing key focuses for the upcoming draft and addressing ongoing trade discussions that involve backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
Prioritizing Defensive Reinforcements in Draft Plans
Coach Ben Johnson emphasized that the Bears must enhance their defensive pressure, particularly on opposing quarterbacks, positioning the defensive line as a main target in the draft. While Montez Sweat delivered a double-digit sack season, the Bears aim to add another impactful pass rusher to collaborate with him.
Johnson highlighted the importance of consistent quarterback pressure, saying,
“For us to take the next step as a defense, we do need to pressure the quarterback in a more consistent clip, that is a point of emphasis for us.”
This need is further supported by the injury recovery of second-round pick Shemar Turner, who is on track to contribute next season, and Austin Booker, who is entering a contract year.
Given the promising pool of pass rushers available in the 2026 draft, the Bears plan to explore various strategies, including possibly selecting multiple players to enhance their defensive front.
Bears’ Appeal for Additional Draft Picks Faces Uncertainty
The Bears have filed an appeal with the NFL to receive compensatory draft picks following the hiring of Ian Cunningham by the Atlanta Falcons, a situation both Cunningham and GM Ryan Poles believe merits extra selections. The outcome remains uncertain as the league reviews this decision.
Tyson Bagent Emerges as a Trade Asset Amid Limited QB Draft Class
Tyson Bagent, the Bears’ backup quarterback extended through 2027, has attracted trade interest this offseason. Poles confirmed receiving multiple inquiries, stating,
“We’ve gotten a few calls there.”
Despite this, the Bears anticipated the attention given Bagent’s NFL starting experience, affordable salary cap hit of $4.7 million, and the limited quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft.
This year’s draft class is notably thin on quarterbacks with first-round grades, featuring Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza potentially as the overall No. 1 pick and Alabama’s Ty Simpson expected to be the only other quarterback selected in the first round. This contrasts sharply with 2024, which saw six quarterbacks taken in the opening round.
Ben Johnson expressed strong confidence in Bagent’s abilities, saying he ranks among the top 32 quarterbacks in the NFL and deserves a chance to prove himself further. Still, Bagent remains a trusted and stabilizing presence in the Bears’ locker room behind starter Caleb Williams.
Poles acknowledged the challenge of potentially trading a player held in such high regard by both coaching staff and teammates, noting,
“Obviously, the tough thing is with what Ben thinks about Tyson. When I think about Tyson, what our locker room thinks about Tyson, that’s a really tough decision for us. But for Tyson as well, he would have an opportunity to go and perform for our team and do some really good things.”
Continuing a Best Player Available Draft Strategy
Last year, General Manager Ryan Poles faced skepticism after selecting tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick. Loveland quickly proved his worth by leading the Bears in receiving, a development that has encouraged Poles to maintain his “best player available” approach in 2026.
Poles explained his draft philosophy:
“It’s gonna be the best player available. I know that may not be the most popular thing.”
He acknowledged the importance of addressing roster needs, but emphasized the value of selecting top talent, citing Loveland, Caleb Williams, and Darnell Wright as examples of players who have become offensive cornerstones under this method.
Poles added,
“On my board, we have yellow tags where we need to fill in. At the same time I do believe, especially in the early rounds: one, you really got to stick the best player available. We saw that last year. I know there’s a lot of questions like, you got Cole, why would you take Colston? I think we found out that it helped us along the way. So, we’ll continue to lean into that philosophy.”
The Bears’ Urgency to Bolster Pass Rush and Roster Depth
Edge rushing remains the Bears’ highest priority as the 2026 NFL Combine commences. Addressing this need could be a decisive factor in shaping the defense capable of competing for a Super Bowl.
DJ Moore’s Role in Bears’ Future Weighs Heavily
Wide receiver DJ Moore holds immense value for the Bears, a sentiment expressed by Coach Johnson, who praised Moore’s versatility and understanding of receiver roles. Johnson detailed,
“He probably knew all the roles of the receivers better than anybody else we had in that room, X,Z, F, it really didn’t matter. He was the guy we knew we could count on.”
Despite his significant contract, the Bears have recognized Moore’s durability and leadership, especially after standout contributions in critical comeback victories over the Green Bay Packers last season. Johnson further stated,
“There really wasn’t anything we’d shy away from in terms of the route tree that, that he could or could not do. I feel like the versatility is something that screams at you, the intelligence screams at you. And then as Ryan alluded to in our last press conference, just the toughness, the durability, when you talk about 17-plus game season, that’s where a player like that is really, really valuable.”
However, GM Ryan Poles stressed the need to evaluate all possible scenarios to ensure the strongest possible roster for 2026, conveying the difficult nature of decisions involving key players:
“I’ve nothing but great things to say about him, but this is the time now where we have to look at all the different scenarios and what can allow us to put the best team out there. There’s a lot there that make it really, really difficult. He’s a guy we want here, but we have to look at all different scenarios.”
Implications for the Bears’ 2026 Season and Beyond
The Bears are navigating a critical period marked by strategic draft decisions, potential trades, and roster evaluations aimed at transforming the team into a Super Bowl contender by 2026. The handling of Tyson Bagent’s potential trade, defensive reinforcements, and sustaining core contributors like DJ Moore will play significant roles in defining the team’s future trajectory.
As the NFL Combine progresses, Chicago’s front office must balance the urgency of immediate needs with long-term potential, ensuring each move contributes to building a competitive and resilient squad. How these calculated risks unfold will reveal whether the Bears can capitalize on their draft and trade opportunities to emerge as genuine contenders next season.
