This season serves as a perfect reminder of what happens when you pass judgment on players way too soon. People were so quick to hammer the Chicago Bears for their 2025 draft class because it wasn't contributing much on the field to start the season. Calls were growing louder for GM Ryan Poles' head. This team wasn't going anywhere. Two months later, the narrative has undergone a complete shift. The Bears claimed their eighth win of the season on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Much of it came from standout performances by their rookie draft picks.
- Colston Loveland - 4 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
- Luther Burden - 4 touches, 61 total yards
- Ozzy Trapilo - 1 pressure in 41 pass-blocking snaps at LT
- Kyle Monangai - 12 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD
This isn't an isolated incident either. Loveland is fast emerging as one of the most exciting pass targets in the NFL this season. Burden might be one of the most versatile wide receivers in the league thanks to his blocking prowess. Trapilo already looked sharp in limited snaps before getting his first start. Monangai is averaging 4.7 yards per carry with a touchdown in each of the past three games.
Ryan Poles picked a perfect time to deliver perhaps his best draft.
Right now, that title probably belongs to 2023. Darnell Wright has emerged as a Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle, while Gervon Dexter and Tyrique Stevenson have become quality starters on defense. This latest group appears to have a much higher ceiling. Loveland is already playing like a potential top 10 tight end. Burden is the most explosive weapon they have and gets better each week. Trapilo is proving to be a high-end pass protector whose confidence is growing. Monangai? He's a perfect rotational back who is a nightmare to tackle.
Usually, if you're getting two good players in every draft, you're doing okay. Getting four would be a huge victory. It has been a long time since that has happened for the Bears. Ryan Poles had some solid drafts up to this point, but not yet what feels like a true home run. Based on how things are going, he finally got that hanging curveball he's been waiting for.
