The Chicago Bears have one obvious need heading into the offseason: a pass-rusher.
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Since general manager Ryan Poles took over in 2022 and traded Khalil Mack and other key pieces of the defensive line away, the Bears have not had great depth or star power at defensive end or defensive tackle.
Poles traded for Montez Sweat in 2023, but Chicago has not been able to make the best out of that trade with the rest of the unit’s make-up.
After spending the last four first-round picks on offense, the Bears should consider adding a defensive player with the No. 25 pick.
NFL media’s Cynthia Frelund has the Bears taking a defender in the first round of April’s draft, but she has Poles taking Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at No. 25.
“Size? Check. Burst and athleticism? Check and check,” Frelund wrote. “Given that their secondary could take a huge hit in free agency — safeties Kevin Byard , Jaquan Brisker and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson are all up in March — McNeil-Warren would be a steal for the Bears at this slot.”
Keeping Byard should be a priority for the Bears this offseason. Chicago could move on from Brisker and Gardner-Johnson, creating a need for a safety in the draft.
The Chicago Bears have other worries
Ozzy Trapilo will be battling Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie for the left tackle job – Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
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However, McNeil-Warren won’t fix the pass rush.
The Bears need to add an impact player on the defensive line with that pick.
Chicago also has the left tackle position to worry about. 2025 second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in the playoffs that could keep him out of the lineup at the start of the 2026 regular season.
The Bears signed Theo Benedet to a one-year deal worth $1 million earlier this week. Still, Chicago could add a left tackle in the first round of the draft or in free agency.
Given the importance of the defensive line and left tackle, safety seems more like a need that could be addressed in Day 2.
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