by The Chicago Bears are no longer the “lovable losers” of the NFC North. After a triumphant 2025 campaign that saw Caleb Williams blossom into a true franchise cornerstone and the team secure a division title, Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson are entering the 2026 offseason with a winning blueprint. However, staying on top is harder than getting there. This Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2026 focuses on the surgical additions needed to turn a Divisional Round participant into a Super Bowl heavyweight, specifically targeting a defensive front that lacked “teeth” during the postseason.
Pick 25: Bolstering the Interior with Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
With the 25th overall selection, the Bears must prioritize the trenches to support Montez Sweat. While the offense hummed in 2025, the defensive interior struggled to collapse pockets, leaving the secondary exposed in high-stakes moments. In this Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2026, Clemson’s Peter Woods is the ideal solution—a powerful, high-floor disruptor who can slide in next to Gervon Dexter. Woods brings the “bowl of nails” toughness that Ben Johnson craves, offering an immediate upgrade over a rotation that ranked near the bottom of the league in interior pressure rate.
Round 2: Adding a Speed Merchant Off the Edge
Moving into the second round, the focus remains on a pass rush that went dormant in the fourth quarter of the playoffs. Many iterations of a Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2026 suggest taking an offensive tackle here, but with Caleb Williams’ quick release, the more pressing need is a “Batman” to Sweat’s “Robin.” Look for the Bears to target an explosive athlete like Dani Dennis-Sutton or a rising riser at the Combine who can bend the edge. Adding a twitchy speed rusher ensures that NFC North quarterbacks like Jared Goff and Jordan Love don’t have all day to pick apart a depleted secondary.
The Looming Safety Crisis: A Mid-Round Priority
Chicago enters the 2026 draft with a terrifying reality: they currently have zero safeties under contract for the upcoming season. While Ryan Poles will likely navigate free agency to bring back a veteran presence, this Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2026 anticipates a Day 2 or early Day 3 investment in a versatile defensive back. A player like Kamari Ramsey or VJ Payne would provide the range and “thumping” ability needed to replace pending free agents Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. The Combine drills in Indianapolis will be the final litmus test for which ball-hawk fits the Bears’ aggressive defensive scheme.
Protecting the Prize: Offensive Line Depth
While the offensive line took a massive leap forward in 2025, the late-season injury to Ozzy Trapilo proved that you can never have enough depth at tackle. A savvy Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2026 won’t ignore the blindside, even if they pass on a tackle in the first round. Finding a developmental “swing” tackle in the fourth round allows the Bears to maintain their offensive identity without overspending. Keeping Caleb Williams upright is the only way to ensure the Bears remain a perennial playoff threat in an increasingly competitive NFC.
The “Spicy” Wildcard: A New Weapon for Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson’s offense is at its best when it has a “YAC King” who can turn a five-yard slant into a forty-yard house call. While Rome Odunze and DJ Moore are a Tier-1 duo, this Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2026 explores the possibility of adding a specialized slot weapon like Makai Lemon in the later rounds. Adding a player with elite “miss-ability” in the open field would give Williams a safety valve and force opposing coordinators to play a “pick your poison” style of defense that Chicago hasn’t seen in decades.
Pre-Combine Stock Watch: Who Could Rise?
As we approach the NFL Scouting Combine, the names in this Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2026 are subject to change based on the “Underwear Olympics.” A sub-4.4 forty-yard dash from a defensive end or an elite 3-cone drill from a safety could force Ryan Poles to shift his board. The Bears have seven total picks to work with, and after the success of their 2024 and 2025 classes, the pressure is on to find the final pieces of the championship puzzle. Indianapolis will be the battleground where these projections either solidify or vanish into the draft-season fog.
The Verdict: A Defensive Reset in the Windy City
Ultimately, the 2026 draft is about finishing what Ryan Poles started. This Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2026 predicts a heavy emphasis on defensive infrastructure to match the high-octane offense led by Caleb Williams. By reinforcing the defensive line and addressing the looming void at safety, Chicago can transition from a “surprise contender” to a legitimate dynasty candidate. The window is wide open, the quarterback is elite, and the 2026 draft is the key to unlocking a Super Bowl parade on Michigan Avenue.
