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The Chicago Bears are in the middle of another important offseason, where they're looking to shore up the roster and remain contenders in Ben Johnson's second season as head coach as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
The Bears didn't make any big splashes in free agency, where their biggest move was signing Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant to fill one of two starting safety vacancies left by the departing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago also added linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalif Raymond. But the Bears also suffered some big losses, including wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Byard and Brisker, as well as center Drew Dalman, who shockingly retired.
Chicago has seven draft picks that includes four selections in the top 89, including a pair of second rounders, where they can address some of their biggest needs, including defensive line, safety and offensive tackle.
Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Wrapping up the offensive side of the ball is the offensive line, a strength of the Bears last season, but one that faces question marks at multiple positions.
The Bears made significant investments in their offensive line last offseason with personnel additions and coaching hires, and they paid off in a big way. Tackle Darnell Wright finally ascended to become one of the league's premier players, earning Second-Team All-Pro, allowing just three sacks, three hits, and 19 pressures in 2025. Wright anchored the right side, along with guard Jonah Jackson, who was acquired via trade with the Los Angeles Rams, to form a formidable duo that was unstoppable at times.
On the left side, the Bears acquired future Hall of Fame guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs, and he instantly upgraded the interior of the line. Thuney was stout, surrendering no sacks, one hit, and 15 total pressures during his first season in Chicago. His play not only earned him First-Team All-Pro honors, but Thuney was also named the NFL's inaugural Protector of the Year, an award given out to the best offensive lineman.
Next to Thuney, left tackle was a game of musical chairs for much of the season, featuring Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and Ozzy Trapilo. Jones was the Week 1 starter before being benched due to poor play for Benedet. When Benedet got hurt later in the year, second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo stepped up and didn't miss a beat until suffering a serious knee injury that will sideline him for the majority of 2026. The Bears are hoping to create competition between Jones and free agent acquisition Jedrick Wills, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.
The center position saw the biggest shakeup, with the Bears trading for veteran Garrett Bradbury in exchange for a fifth-round pick from the New England Patriots to fill a sudden void. Bradbury spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and now returns to the NFC North tasked with helping Williams at the line of scrimmage.
Elsewhere, the Bears have reserves such as tackle Kiran Amegadje, guard/center Luke Newman, Jordan McFadden, and Kyle Hergel, who will compete for roster spots when training camp rolls around.
Drew Dalman pulled off one of the most shocking decisions in recent Bears history when he chose to retire prior to free agency opening. The 27-year-old center was the prize of last year's free agency haul, signing a three-year contract away from the Atlanta Falcons. Dalman put together a career year, making the Pro Bowl for the first time, and solidifying a position that has plagued the Bears for many years. Bradbury will help try and soften the blow of losing Dalman as the projected starter for 2026.
Ryan Bates hit free agency after spending two seasons with the Bears. He was acquired via trade in 2024 and was primarily a backup center and guard. As of now, Bates is still on the market, and though he could re-sign, he will likely be playing elsewhere in 2027.
When the Bears ended the 2025 regular season, there was no question the offensive line was solidified for at least the next year or two. Things changed quickly. The serious injury to Trapilo and the sudden retirement of Dalman raised the need for finding quality linemen in the draft significantly. Bradbury should be a fine stopgap at center, but the Bears would be wise to find a developmental player for future seasons. And it's risky to rely on the combination of Jones and Wills until Trapilo returns to action—and there is no guarantee he will be the same player. Not to mention Bradbury, Jones, and Wills are all set to be free agents next offseason.
If the Bears opt to target one of the top offensive linemen available in the draft with the 25th overall pick, a couple of intriguing names could be available to them. Players such as Kadyn Proctor, Spencer Fano, and Caleb Lomu are all possibilities if the Bears believe one of them is a franchise left tackle. Proctor has excellent athleticism with a massive frame, while Fano and Lomu have explosive tendencies that showed up at Utah. It's also a high possibility they look to draft Bradbury's successor on Day 2 or Day 3, with Kansas State's Sam Hecht, Florida's Jake Slaughter, and Iowa's Logan Jones being prime targets. And while Thuney is still playing at a high level, it would make sense for the Bears to try and find a guard capable of being his successor when he eventually decides to walk away.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at offensive line
Continue reading...
The Bears didn't make any big splashes in free agency, where their biggest move was signing Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant to fill one of two starting safety vacancies left by the departing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago also added linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalif Raymond. But the Bears also suffered some big losses, including wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Byard and Brisker, as well as center Drew Dalman, who shockingly retired.
Chicago has seven draft picks that includes four selections in the top 89, including a pair of second rounders, where they can address some of their biggest needs, including defensive line, safety and offensive tackle.
Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Wrapping up the offensive side of the ball is the offensive line, a strength of the Bears last season, but one that faces question marks at multiple positions.
Who's on the roster?
- Darnell Wright
- Braxton Jones
- Ozzy Trapilo
- Joe Thuney
- Jonah Jackson
- Garrett Bradbury
- Jedrick Wills
- Theo Benedet
- Luke Newman
- Kiran Amegadjie
- Jordan McFadden
- Kyle Hergel
The Bears made significant investments in their offensive line last offseason with personnel additions and coaching hires, and they paid off in a big way. Tackle Darnell Wright finally ascended to become one of the league's premier players, earning Second-Team All-Pro, allowing just three sacks, three hits, and 19 pressures in 2025. Wright anchored the right side, along with guard Jonah Jackson, who was acquired via trade with the Los Angeles Rams, to form a formidable duo that was unstoppable at times.
On the left side, the Bears acquired future Hall of Fame guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs, and he instantly upgraded the interior of the line. Thuney was stout, surrendering no sacks, one hit, and 15 total pressures during his first season in Chicago. His play not only earned him First-Team All-Pro honors, but Thuney was also named the NFL's inaugural Protector of the Year, an award given out to the best offensive lineman.
Next to Thuney, left tackle was a game of musical chairs for much of the season, featuring Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and Ozzy Trapilo. Jones was the Week 1 starter before being benched due to poor play for Benedet. When Benedet got hurt later in the year, second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo stepped up and didn't miss a beat until suffering a serious knee injury that will sideline him for the majority of 2026. The Bears are hoping to create competition between Jones and free agent acquisition Jedrick Wills, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.
The center position saw the biggest shakeup, with the Bears trading for veteran Garrett Bradbury in exchange for a fifth-round pick from the New England Patriots to fill a sudden void. Bradbury spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and now returns to the NFC North tasked with helping Williams at the line of scrimmage.
Elsewhere, the Bears have reserves such as tackle Kiran Amegadje, guard/center Luke Newman, Jordan McFadden, and Kyle Hergel, who will compete for roster spots when training camp rolls around.
Who departed this offseason?
- Drew Dalman
- Ryan Bates
Drew Dalman pulled off one of the most shocking decisions in recent Bears history when he chose to retire prior to free agency opening. The 27-year-old center was the prize of last year's free agency haul, signing a three-year contract away from the Atlanta Falcons. Dalman put together a career year, making the Pro Bowl for the first time, and solidifying a position that has plagued the Bears for many years. Bradbury will help try and soften the blow of losing Dalman as the projected starter for 2026.
Ryan Bates hit free agency after spending two seasons with the Bears. He was acquired via trade in 2024 and was primarily a backup center and guard. As of now, Bates is still on the market, and though he could re-sign, he will likely be playing elsewhere in 2027.
Positional need: Moderate
When the Bears ended the 2025 regular season, there was no question the offensive line was solidified for at least the next year or two. Things changed quickly. The serious injury to Trapilo and the sudden retirement of Dalman raised the need for finding quality linemen in the draft significantly. Bradbury should be a fine stopgap at center, but the Bears would be wise to find a developmental player for future seasons. And it's risky to rely on the combination of Jones and Wills until Trapilo returns to action—and there is no guarantee he will be the same player. Not to mention Bradbury, Jones, and Wills are all set to be free agents next offseason.
Top draft prospects
- OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
- OT Spencer Fano, Utah
- OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
- OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
- OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
- C Sam Hecht, Kansas State
If the Bears opt to target one of the top offensive linemen available in the draft with the 25th overall pick, a couple of intriguing names could be available to them. Players such as Kadyn Proctor, Spencer Fano, and Caleb Lomu are all possibilities if the Bears believe one of them is a franchise left tackle. Proctor has excellent athleticism with a massive frame, while Fano and Lomu have explosive tendencies that showed up at Utah. It's also a high possibility they look to draft Bradbury's successor on Day 2 or Day 3, with Kansas State's Sam Hecht, Florida's Jake Slaughter, and Iowa's Logan Jones being prime targets. And while Thuney is still playing at a high level, it would make sense for the Bears to try and find a guard capable of being his successor when he eventually decides to walk away.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at offensive line
Continue reading...
