The Chicago Bears officially wrapped up their 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday, and with it, a new era of Bears football is fully underway. After reviewing their picks and the overall approach, here are my four biggest takeaways from what we learned.
1. The Ben Johnson Influence is Real
It’s clear that new head coach Ben Johnson is already making a major impact on the Bears roster. His fingerprints were all over this draft. Credit goes to GM Ryan Poles for working so closely with his head coach and trusting his vision. Johnson wanted more weapons for his offense, and Poles made sure he got them. This kind of alignment between the front office and coaching staff hasn’t always been present in Chicago, and it's a promising sign for the future.
2. The Bears Are Higher on D'Andre Swift Than You Think
Whether fans agree or not, it’s obvious the Bears view D'Andre Swift as a key piece of their offense. Swift is a talented running back who showed flashes of brilliance last season with several explosive plays. No, he’s not a perfect player — few backs are — but he is the clear RB1 heading into the season. Chicago’s draft strategy suggests they are confident Swift can carry the load, at least for the next season.
3. Ryan Poles Was Willing to Take Some Risks
Ryan Poles had a strong showing in the early rounds, sticking to the "best player available" philosophy, which paid off. However, his approach on day three was a bit more riskier than usual. Some of his trades and selections raised eyebrows, especially for a GM who has generally been more cautious compared to his predecessor, Ryan Pace. It will be fascinating to see how these gambles pan out, but it shows Poles isn't afraid to take some swings when he believes in his evaluations.
4. Caleb Williams Has No More Excuses
Let’s be honest: the Bears have set Caleb Williams up for success. They added more talent around him, bolstered the offensive line, and brought in one of the best offensive minds in football in Ben Johnson. While there may still be a few free-agent additions coming — perhaps a veteran running back like Nick Chubb — the core pieces are already in place. Williams should have a far more stable environment in year two. Now, it’s on him to take that next step and show he can be the franchise quarterback Chicago has been waiting for.
Chicago Bears Draft Luther Burden
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