The Chicago Bears enjoyed plenty of success in the 2025 season, finishing with an 11-6 record, winning the NFC North title, getting to the NFC divisional playoffs, while also beating the Green Bay Packers twice. There was some surprise to the fast success the Chicago had, but most of the credit went to head coach Ben Johnson and how he reintegrated the offense under second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and a rebuilt offensive line.
One of the biggest moves the offense made this year was sending veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a second-round pick in this year’s draft, adding more draft capital that could be used to help improve the defense. Chicago also lost veteran center Drew Dalman, who suddenly retired this offseason after just one season with the Bears. But the team moved quickly to make a trade for Garrett Bradbury, a veteran who will assume the starting center position.
While the franchise has more to fix on defense more than offense, there are still questions that can be answered in this year’s upcoming draft. Here’s our look at the top questions for the Bears offense heading into the draft next week.
Will the Bears use pick No. 25 on a left tackle?
The Bears have a long list of needs heading into the NFL draft, and left tackle is certainly one of them. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon during the wild-card playoffs, Chicago is once again staring down a competition at left tackle. The Bears brought back Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet on one-year deals, while also signing former first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. in free agency, to compete for the job. But head coach Ben Johnson said they wouldn’t rule anything out at left tackle, including selecting one in the draft. General manager Ryan Poles has always had a best-available mindset in the draft, so if a top tackle, like Kadyn Proctor or Blake Miller, falls to Chicago at No. 25, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bears pull the trigger.
How quickly will the Bears address the center position?
Garrett Bradbury is set to be the team’s starting center in 2026, but he’s on a one-year deal, and there’s no denying that the team needs to have a long-term solution at the position. In order to keep the development and progression of their quarterback going, the relationship with his center is going to be crucial moving forward. The big issue that comes into play is a young center being thrown into the spotlight and trusted with the big task for an offense with high expectations. Some of the top center prospects linked to the Bears have been Sam Hecht, Jake Slaughter, Logan Jones, and Jager Burton, all of whom are projected as mid-round picks. But with Bradbury on the roster, a rookie would have time to sit and learn.
Is another running back needed for the Bears?
Veteran D’Andre Swift had one of the best seasons of his career after being reunited with Ben Johnson this past season, and he is still the lead back for the Bears headed into the 2026 season. Chicago found a great complement to Swift in the seventh round of last year’s draft in Kyle Monangai, creating a dynamic duo that led one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL last year. There’s not much depth behind Swift and Monangai, and while it’s not a pressing need, they could add a back later in the draft to help build depth behind the two leaders. Notable names the Bears could consider are: Jaydn Ott, Kaytron Allen, J’Mari Taylor, and Roman Hemby.
Will the Bears land another late-round hidden gem?
On the topic of Kyle Monangai, the Bears have shown that they can find hidden gems late in the draft with general manager Ryan Poles, and head coach Ben Johnson will get the most out of them. Chicago has several key players at the playmaker positions on offense, but they could benefit from finding depth at either tight end or wide receiver, especially after the trade that sent Moore to Buffalo. The Bears’ coaching staff has proven that draft position will not determine whether or not a player has a chance to be productive for the offense. If Chicago does take a player at an offensive playmaker position late in the draft, there’s a good chance that player has an opportunity to make an impact in their rookie season.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Biggest questions for Chicago Bears offense before 2026 NFL Draft
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
