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The 2025 NFL draft is just one week away, which means the Chicago Bears will soon be on the clock. After undergoing an overhaul of their roster this offseason, the team will get a chance to put a stamp on a busy offseason as new head coach Ben Johnson works with general manager Ryan Poles to put together a winning football team that can return the franchise to its winning ways.
Holding four selections in the Top 75, Chicago has a chance to add significant talent early on and continue strengthening their areas of need. Most of the attention this offseason has been around the trenches, with the Bears bringing in reinforcements on both the offensive and defensive line, and have been mocked to continue focusing on the offensive side of the ball early on.
While the offense gets all the attention and spotlight, Chicago made two big defensive splashes, signing defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, to help bolster the defensive line. But the work is far from over. With that in mind, here are the biggest questions facing the Bears defense ahead of the draft.
There is no shortage of talented pass rushers in this year's draft class, but the Bears have to determine when's the right time to strike. There may not be a suitable fit at the 10th overall pick for them to get an elite pass rusher, but there's still plenty of first round worthy talent that could fall into Round 2. If Chicago locks in on the offensive side of the ball with their first pick, using one of their two early second round picks would make the most sense to add another pass rusher alongside Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo.
T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds are the core of the linebacker position -- and both under contract through 2027 and 2026, respectively, after Edwards' extension -- but there is a definitely a need for depth and talent behind them. After losing Jack Sanborn to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency this offseason, there is a need to add a linebacker in the draft, but the class is not as deep as teams in need would be hoping for. It feels like the best time to target a linebacker would either be in the second or third round.
Jaquan Brisker has been deemed cleared and healthy to return to action after missing 12 games with a concussion, but it is definitely an area of concern for his long-term health. Kevin Byard was incredibly productive despite a disappointing season in his first year with Chicago, but he's only under contract through 2025. With questions facing Brisker and Byard, there's a thought that the team should consider bringing in reinforcements behind them. When and where the team should address the safety position is up for debate, but it does feel like adding depth in the group would be beneficial for the defense.
Can you ever have enough bodies in the trenches? The answer is no. Chicago will have seven total picks this year, and if they feel they're in need of more talent up front, they'll have to decide how many players they want to add to the defensive line. The team could benefit from adding both a defensive tackle and defensive end for new coordinator Dennis Allen, and although they brought in recognizable names to beef up the starting unit, it never hurts to add depth behind them.
Tyrique Stevenson is not a bad football player by any stretch of the imagination, but there was plenty of conversation around his status on the team last year. Serving a brief in-game suspension in Week 9, after being shown on camera taunting the crowd in Washington during what would be the game-losing Hail Mary, Stevenson did bounce back and look strong at the end of the season. He's a very talented player with a mean streak and an ability to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Stevenson a crucial part of the secondary, but this new coaching staff will have to decide if he's in their long-term plans.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Biggest questions facing Chicago Bears defense
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Holding four selections in the Top 75, Chicago has a chance to add significant talent early on and continue strengthening their areas of need. Most of the attention this offseason has been around the trenches, with the Bears bringing in reinforcements on both the offensive and defensive line, and have been mocked to continue focusing on the offensive side of the ball early on.
While the offense gets all the attention and spotlight, Chicago made two big defensive splashes, signing defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, to help bolster the defensive line. But the work is far from over. With that in mind, here are the biggest questions facing the Bears defense ahead of the draft.
1. How soon to add another pass rusher?
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There is no shortage of talented pass rushers in this year's draft class, but the Bears have to determine when's the right time to strike. There may not be a suitable fit at the 10th overall pick for them to get an elite pass rusher, but there's still plenty of first round worthy talent that could fall into Round 2. If Chicago locks in on the offensive side of the ball with their first pick, using one of their two early second round picks would make the most sense to add another pass rusher alongside Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo.
2. Who will replace Jack Sanborn?
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T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds are the core of the linebacker position -- and both under contract through 2027 and 2026, respectively, after Edwards' extension -- but there is a definitely a need for depth and talent behind them. After losing Jack Sanborn to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency this offseason, there is a need to add a linebacker in the draft, but the class is not as deep as teams in need would be hoping for. It feels like the best time to target a linebacker would either be in the second or third round.
3. Will there be reinforcements brought in at safety?
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Jaquan Brisker has been deemed cleared and healthy to return to action after missing 12 games with a concussion, but it is definitely an area of concern for his long-term health. Kevin Byard was incredibly productive despite a disappointing season in his first year with Chicago, but he's only under contract through 2025. With questions facing Brisker and Byard, there's a thought that the team should consider bringing in reinforcements behind them. When and where the team should address the safety position is up for debate, but it does feel like adding depth in the group would be beneficial for the defense.
4. Should they continue to add to the interior defensive line?
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Can you ever have enough bodies in the trenches? The answer is no. Chicago will have seven total picks this year, and if they feel they're in need of more talent up front, they'll have to decide how many players they want to add to the defensive line. The team could benefit from adding both a defensive tackle and defensive end for new coordinator Dennis Allen, and although they brought in recognizable names to beef up the starting unit, it never hurts to add depth behind them.
5. Will Tyrique Stevenson gain some competition?
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Tyrique Stevenson is not a bad football player by any stretch of the imagination, but there was plenty of conversation around his status on the team last year. Serving a brief in-game suspension in Week 9, after being shown on camera taunting the crowd in Washington during what would be the game-losing Hail Mary, Stevenson did bounce back and look strong at the end of the season. He's a very talented player with a mean streak and an ability to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Stevenson a crucial part of the secondary, but this new coaching staff will have to decide if he's in their long-term plans.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Biggest questions facing Chicago Bears defense
Continue reading...
