The Chicago Bears’ defense struggled badly in the first half against Green Bay, giving up 21 points before flipping the switch in the second half and playing at an elite level. That turnaround was a major reason the Bears erased an 18-point deficit and earned another week of football. It was an impressive response, but it does not erase the bigger picture.
This defense was inconsistent all season, allowing 361 yards per game, the fourth-worst mark in the NFL, along with 24 points per game. Because of that, upgrading the unit this offseason is not optional.
The five players listed below, one at each position, are defensive prospects the Bears should consider throughout the 2026 NFL Draft. This list is not limited to first-round picks and focuses on players who could realistically make a meaningful impact.
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
The Bears finished with just 35 sacks this regular season, and while Montez Sweat had 10, the lack of a consistent pass rusher opposite him was obvious, with the Dayo Odeyingbo signing already looking like a mistake. Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. is a quick, powerful edge defender who can pressure the quarterback and hold up against the run, and while I have a top-10 grade on him, some teams view him as a Day 2 prospect. If he is available when the Bears pick, he should be an immediate consideration as a foundational piece for rebuilding the defense.
"I was maybe a little surprised how many Day 2 grades there are around the league on Rueben Bain."@dpbrugler on the possibility of Bain falling out of the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/1POCbznq1v
— The Athletic Football Show (@TA_FootballShow) December 17, 2025
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Another defensive lineman from the state of Florida who makes sense for the Chicago Bears is Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. Banks has rare size at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, along with the strength to knock blockers off the ball and the quickness to win at the snap. He would immediately upgrade the Bears’ run defense and will likely be available in the second round after a foot injury limited him to just three games this season.
Jacob Rodriguez, MLB, Texas Tech
One area where the Bears’ defense does thrive is creating turnovers, and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez excels in that category. This past season, he led all FBS players with seven forced fumbles and all linebackers with four interceptions, while also recording 128 tackles. With the Bears struggling to keep their linebackers healthy, adding a player like Rodriguez would be a smart move.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
A third-round option for Chicago could be San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson. He was a true shutdown corner this season, allowing just a 16.1 passer rating, which led all FBS cornerbacks. Johnson also showed excellent ball skills, breaking up 13 passes and recording four interceptions while allowing only 18 receptions. While cornerback is not one of the Bears’ biggest needs, adding a player like Johnson on Day Three would be a smart move.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
According to Bleacher Report, the Bears’ top need heading into the offseason is safety, making it likely they address the position early in the 2026 NFL Draft. A second-round option is Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the only safety in the country this season with a 90.0-plus PFF grade in both run defense and coverage.