People Inside NFL Believe Chicago Bears Go One Of Two Ways In 2026 Draft

The 2026 draft is months away. Nobody is making assumptions about how it will unfold for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that teams don't yet know who will or won't be declaring for the NFL. However, sometimes, it is possible to recognize what certain organizations will likely do even as early as now. That seems to be the case with the Chicago Bears. A source reached out to SM with some interesting info from scouting circles. While things can obviously change in the next few months, there is a belief among other teams that the Bears brass will do one of two things next April.

One possibility is they will grab the best pass rusher available. Chicago's ability to pressure the quarterback has been hot and cold for over a year now. Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo haven't emerged as a prolific tandem as yet. The depth is also a major concern. They need more explosiveness up front. This 2026 class is shaping up to be a strong one for edge rushers.

The other option people are convinced will happen is the Bears will take Jeremiyah Love. Most consider him the best running back in the class, and it's no secret that head coach Ben Johnson wants more from the running game.

The Chicago Bears would be forgiven for this approach.

Some will argue that the team must focus on finding a new left tackle. That is a fair assessment, given Braxton Jones' ongoing consistency issues. The problem is that this incoming class doesn't seem overly strong on natural left tackles. That would mean, unless the Chicago Bears are picking in the top 10 again, the odds aren't great they'll land one. Pass rushers and running backs are easier to find in the later stages of the 1st round. Some see Love as a possible top-10 guy. He has the size, speed, vision, and instincts to be a true workhorse in the NFL. There is no question he'd be a natural fit in Johnson's system.

Meanwhile, six edge rush prospects are currently ranked as 1st round possibilities. That number could go up once the pre-draft process begins in February. It appears people inside the league can already sense where the Bears are leaning. If it plays out this way, fans should be happy with it. Either option feels like a good one.