Don't rule out offensive tackle for Bears at No. 25, says insider

The 2026 NFL Draft is just two weeks away, and the Chicago Bears are gearing up for an important draft where they have several big holes to plug. Following the success of last year's 2025 draft class, the hope is general manager Ryan Poles can replicate that magic. One of the things that made last year's draft class so impactful was the Bears ' decision to stick by their best-available approach, which landed them two of the best players in the draft in tight end Colston Loveland (first round) and wide receiver Luther Burden III (second round).

While Chicago has a slew of holes to fill on defense, it's not necessarily a lock that they go in that direction if the board falls a certain way. ESPN Bears insider Courtney Cronin said not to rule out offensive tackle in the first round, especially if Alabama's Kadyn Proctor is still on the board. "Depending on how many edge rushers are off the board by the time Chicago picks at No.

25, selecting a D-end is logical, but don't rule out an offensive lineman in the first round," Cronin wrote. "Ben Johnson also spoke candidly about the "uncertainty" at left tackle amid Ozzy Trapilo's ruptured patellar tendon, and the Bears were recently at Alabama's pro day getting an up-close look at Kadyn Proctor, one of the top offensive tackles in the draft. " There's no denying that the Bears have big holes to fill on defense, most notably along the defensive line and at safety, but that's not going to stop them from passing on the best player available should the board fall like that.

Not to mention, shoring up the left tackle position isn't a bad thing, especially with Ozzy Trapilo's future uncertain as he recovers from a ruptured patellar tendon. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears insider: Don't rule out offensive tackle for Chicago at No. 25