What started off as a promising season for the Chicago Bears has turned out to be another season of turmoil. The bright spot is the team has a promising young quarterback in Caleb Williams and are in current position for another top 10 pick and overall, 4 selections in the top 3 rounds.
Although Williams has had an up and down season, the disappointment with the Bears and their 4-11 record is the other players. On offense, the offensive line has been a disaster for the most part so upgrading the pass protectors for Williams will be priority No. 1 for the Bears and whoever replaces former head coach Matt Eberflus.
While there are other areas of need, it really starts there for the Bears as highlighted by ESPN’s analysis of early needs for all 32 NFL teams. The Bears top need doesn’t surprise anyone.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin writes:
“The Bears are in line for a top-10 pick for a third straight year. This isn't where Chicago was expecting to draft after starting the season 4-2, but seven straight losses shine a light on the Bears' issues up front -- they own the worst quarterback sack percentage (10.6%). Outside of right tackle Darnell Wright, a top-10 pick in 2023, the Bears have not invested long term in players along the offensive line. Center Coleman Shelton and right guard Matt Pryor are likely replaced this offseason, while left tackle Braxton Jones' and left guard Teven Jenkins' futures in Chicago hang in the balance.”
Current state of the Chicago Bears
2024 NFL season record: 4-11, 4th in the NFC North
Team offense: Rank 31st (294.5 yards per game)
Team defense: Rank 26th (359.3 yards per game)
2025 NFL Draft position: No. 9
Top positional needs: OT, EDGE, CB, IOL
2025 NFL Draft outlook
The Bears top priority will and should be the offensive line. Get Caleb Williams some help upfront, and this Bears’ offense will be a lot better in 2025. Starting at the tackle position, the Bears are currently positioned to land one of the top tackles in the draft. LSU’s Will Campbell have been at or near the top of that list all season, but Texas standout Kelvin Banks Jr., and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons are players who will be taken high as well.
If the Bears decide to go defense with their top pick, top edge rushers in the draft are highlighted by Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and Georgia’s Mykel Williams. With two second round picks, the Bears are in good position to beef up in the trenches as both positons are deep in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Some other positions of need for the Bears will be more defensive line depth and upgrades in the secondary. Here is a late-season look at what general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears will do in this three-round NFL Mock Draft.
The Bears get their left tackle of the future with the selection of Will Campbell with the No. 9 overall pick. With some of the top teams addressing other areas of need, the LSU standout will fall to the Bears much to the delight of Williams who will get instant blind side protection with the 6-foot-6, 320-pound prototype tackle. With his strong pass protection, athleticism and physicality in the run game, the Bears get a guy who will strengthen both their pass protection and increase their effectiveness in the run game.
Not as known as the top edge defenders in the 2025 NFL Draft, Marshall’s Mike Green continues an impactful draft for the Bears. At 6-foot-4, 248 pounds, Green with an absolute powerhouse coming off the edge. In his sophomore season with the Thundering Herd, Green recorded 38 solo tackles with 17 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. A dynamic playmaker on defense, Green will give the Bears some added pass rush production.
The Bears address the interior of their offensive line with the selection of Alabama’s Tyler Booker with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-5, 325 pounds, Booker adds more size, power, and consistency to the Bears’ offensive line. Along with Campbell, Chicago will suddenly have some impressive talent leading the offensive line as Booker’s tenacity at either guard position will keep Caleb Williams on his feet and give him the time to emphasize in the pocket, which makes him that much more dangerous as a passer.
The Bears A+ Draft continues with the selection of Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke with the No. 71 overall pick in the draft. Entering the 2024 season, Burke was one of the top corners in the nation, so the fact the Bears will have a shot at him in the third round is obviously a win for the secondary. With ballhawk ability, Burke has the talent and ability to flourish in the NFL. He will have to improve on his overall mechanics and tackling to really spotlight his high-end athleticism as the next level.