2026 NFL Mock Draft: Chicago Bears choose edge defender

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 08: Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young (9) in the first quarter of an SEC football game between the Texas A&M Aggies and Missouri Tigers on November 8, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri The 2025 Bears – What went right and what didn’t Expectations were higher for the 2025 Bears, and they didn’t disappoint en route to an 11-6 record, an NFC North division title, and a playoff win over the rival Packers. The hiring of Ben Johnson from division rival Detroit provided an instant jolt of energy, especially juxtaposed against their milquetoast previous head coaches in Matt Eberflus and Matt Nagy.

The most important question that needed answering was whether 2024 number one overall pick Caleb Williams would be a fit in Johnson’s high-flying offense. After just one year, it was too soon for Williams to be talked about as a bust, but strong rookie seasons from Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye had some Bears fans wondering if they had taken the wrong quarterback. Williams, backed by an exciting lineup of playmakers at the skill positions, answered all the questions, throwing for nearly 4000 yards while also placing in the top 10 in the NFL in passing TDs with 27, making people forget about Daniels as he suffered through an injury-riddled season in an inconsistent offense.

This was set up by the moves the Bears made in the 2025 offseason aimed at bolstering the offensive line, trading for both Jonah Jackson (from LAR) and Joe Thuney (from KC). Thuney would go on to win the inaugural Protector of the Year award for offensive lineman. D’Andre Swift rebounded from a disappointing first season with Chicago to break 1,000 yards rushing and established a career high in touchdowns.

DJ Moore emerged as the de facto WR1, and the team got strong contributions from second-year man Rome Odunze early in the year and upstart rookie Luther Burden III in the second half, with Olamide Zaccheus chipping in with some clutch plays as well. Tight end also looks to be in great shape, with longest-tenured Bear Cole Kmet coming back and Colston Loveland looking to build on his highly successful rookie season where he was ranked as PFF’s highest graded rookie and number two tight end overall. This Chicago team also developed a knack for pulling off improbable victories under incredibly difficult conditions, earning the nickname the “Cardiac Bears” with a number of comebacks and last-second wins, often spearheaded by Williams’ fearlessness coupled with some genuinely insane throws .