This Is the Chicago Bears’ Biggest Draft Mistake of the Last 25 Years
The NFL Draft has always been an inexact science, and the Chicago Bears understand that reality better than most teams.
The 2026 NFL Draft feels different for Chicago. For once, the Bears don't have a top-10 pick. After years of losing seasons, this franchise often entered draft weekend searching for hope through a blue-chip prospect near the top of the board.
Too often, those picks failed to deliver.
No selection illustrates that better than Kevin White, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. White dominated in college and looked like a future star during the pre-draft process. Many evaluators viewed him as a potential blend of elite traits and physical upside.
Former Chicago Bears' First-Rounder Kevin White Wasn't Ready for the NFL
White struggled to expand his route tree and could not stay healthy. He appeared in just 14 games for the Bears and never developed into the impact player Chicago expected.
To make matters worse, Bleacher Report just labeled him the Bears’ worst pick of the century, a harsh evaluation that reflects how much that miss set the franchise back.
Chicago had other options in that draft.
Analyst Kristopher Knox pointed to Tyler Lockett as a better alternative. Lockett entered the league as a third-round pick and built a long, productive career, totaling 8,885 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns through the 2025 season. That comparison highlights the unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft, where value often emerges outside the first round.
This is why experienced general managers prioritize volume.
More draft picks increase the odds of landing impact players. Each selection carries risk, but a larger pool of picks improves the chances of finding long-term contributors.
And finally, the Bears appear to have turned a corner in recent years.
Their 2024 and 2025 draft classes now form the foundation of a young, ascending roster. If Ryan Poles delivers another strong class in 2026, Chicago will strengthen its path toward sustained contention.
The margin for error in the NFL Draft will never disappear.
But the Bears finally look like a team learning how to manage it.
