Why the Bears Selected Stanford TE Sam Roush in Round 3 of 2026 NFL Draft

After the Chicago Bears selected Iowa center Logan Jones with the 57th overall pick in the second round, the team was originally slated to pick again at 60. But that never happened. Chicago traded the pick it acquired from the Buffalo Bills and sent it to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for No.

69 overall and No. 144. With the No.

69 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bears selected Stanford tight end Sam Roush. A surprising selection considering the Bears drafted Colston Loveland No. 10 overall last year and have veteran tight end Cole Kmet cemented as the top two tight ends on the roster.

So, why would the Bears take a tight end in the third round when the team still had other pressing areas to address? The simple answer is and the one the Bears followed is sticking to their big board. Here is what Bears director of player personnel Trey Koziol told reporters at Halas Hall about what the Bears' board looked like in terms of potential defensive options before Roush was taken.