The Chicago Bears are finalizing their plans for the 2026 NFL Draft, where they’ll look to shore up the roster under second-year head Ben Johnson.
The Bears have several important holes to fill and premium draft capital to get it done. They have four picks in the first 89 selections, including a pair of second rounders after trading wide receiver DJ Moore. But we’ve heard general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson both talk about their best-available mindset in the draft, which worked out well for them with Colston Loveland and Luther Burden last year.
Before the NFL draft gets underway, new assistant general manager Jeff King met with the media to discuss an array of topic. King explained what the Bears are looking for in potential prospects, where the goal is to find guys who are going to compete.
“We’re after competitors,” King said. “The best players and teams I’ve been around compete daily, not just on Sundays in the fall. It takes more than talent just to win in this league in various conditions throughout the season. … Create competition for the roster, create hard decisions we have to make for the start of the season, add guys to our building that compete daily. That’s our goal.”
The Bears need to improve on defense at several positions, including most notably the defensive line, where they’ll be looking to add those aggressive competitors to amplify Dennis Allen’s defense. But head coach Ben Johnson has also set a precedent with his team: He’s going to work you hard, but it’s going to prepare you for what’s to come during the season. And, after just one season, we saw the immediate payoff. Now, if Chicago can add even more competitors to the mix, they’ll have a chance to repeat as NFC North champions in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: What the Chicago Bears are looking for in the 2026 NFL Draft
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
