{"id":871384,"date":"2026-04-21T19:40:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T19:40:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/871384\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T19:40:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T19:40:35","slug":"what-the-chicago-bears-are-looking-for-in-the-2026-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/871384\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Chicago Bears are looking for in the 2026 NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears<\/a> are finalizing their plans for the 2026 NFL Draft, where they’ll look to shore up the roster under second-year head Ben Johnson.<\/p>\n

The Bears<\/a> have several important holes to fill and premium draft capital to get it done. They have four picks in the first 89 selections, including a pair of second rounders after trading wide receiver DJ Moore. But we’ve heard general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson both talk about their best-available mindset in the draft, which worked out well for them with Colston Loveland and Luther Burden last year.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Before the NFL draft gets underway, new assistant general manager Jeff King met with the media to discuss an array of topic. King explained what the Bears are looking for in potential prospects, where the goal is to find guys who are going to compete.<\/p>\n

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A look at Chicago Bears first round draft picks through the years<\/p>\n

Unknown date & location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) carries the ball during the 1987 season. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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A look at Chicago Bears first round draft picks through the years<\/p>\n

Unknown date & location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) carries the ball during the 1987 season. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Oct 29, 1972; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus (51) in action against the Chicago Bears at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Nov 24, 1985; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears lineman Dan Hampton defensive end Dan Hampton (99) in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Sep 28, 1969; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back Gayle Sayers (40) in action against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Bears 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Dec 26, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) takes the field against the New York Jets at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears celebrates after defeating the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in October.<\/p>\n

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Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka (89) on the bench agains the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon (9) throws the ball against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome. The Bears defeated the Patriots 46-10. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Sep 23, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long (75) stands on the field during the first half against the Washington Redskins at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Best Chicago Bears draft pick from every year since 2016<\/p>\n

Nov 2, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Oct 30, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith (58) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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26 Jan 1986: Quarterback Steve Fuller #4 of the New England Patriots prepares to pass as teammate offensive lineman Jim Covert #74 covers during Super Bowl XX game with the Chicago Bears at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bear<\/p>\n

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Nov 11, 2007; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson (32) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, CA. Mandatory Credit: Phil Carter-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Dec 8, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) catches a touchdown during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Jan 7, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Dec 26, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris (91) takes the field against the New York Jets at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Nov 9, 2008; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman (8) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. The Titans beat the Bears 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Jan 16, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Greg Olsen (82) after the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Oct. 27, 1985; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears linebacker Wilber Marshall (58) in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Vikings 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Nov 9, 1986; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears receiver Willie Gault (83) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears defensive tackle William Perry (72) interacts with Ron Rivera (59) on the field against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome. The Bears defeated the Patriots 46-10. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears linebacker Otis Wilson (55) warms up prior to Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots at the Superdome. The Bears would defeat the Patriots 46-10. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Sep 26, 1993; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n

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Oct 25, 1987; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears full back Neal Anderson (35) takes a hand off from Jim McMahon (9) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n

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Aug 19, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White (11) looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Sep 15, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) reacts to a call in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Dec 27, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Sep 25, 1965; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears head coach GEORGE HALAS Sr on the sidelines with assistant coaches SID LUCKMAN and GEROGE HALAS Jr against the Los Angles Rams at Memorial Coliseum. The Rams defeated the Bears 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Photo By David Boss- USA TODAY Sports \u00a9 Copyright David Boss<\/p>\n

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04 Aug 2001: Cade McNown #8 of the Chicago Bears looks for the open man during the NFL pre-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. The Bears defeated the Bengals 16-13 in overtime. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel\/ALLSPORT<\/p>\n

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Sep 13, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) puts his hands up after a play during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re after competitors,” King said. “The best players and teams I\u2019ve been around compete daily, not just on Sundays in the fall. It takes more than talent just to win in this league in various conditions throughout the season. … Create competition for the roster, create hard decisions we have to make for the start of the season, add guys to our building that compete daily. That\u2019s our goal.”<\/p>\n

The Bears need to improve on defense at several positions, including most notably the defensive line, where they’ll be looking to add those aggressive competitors to amplify Dennis Allen’s defense. But head coach Ben Johnson has also set a precedent with his team: He’s going to work you hard, but it’s going to prepare you for what’s to come during the season. And, after just one season, we saw the immediate payoff. Now, if Chicago can add even more competitors to the mix, they’ll have a chance to repeat as NFC North champions in 2026.<\/p>\n

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: What the Chicago Bears are looking for in the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a><\/p>\n