Chicago Bears Enter 2026 NFL Draft With No Clear Plan at No. 25

The closer you get to draft night, the more Peter Schrager tends to sharpen the picture. This year, his final mock draft did the opposite. And for the Chicago Bears, that uncertainty might be the most important takeaway of all.

Schrager’s latest intel, published on the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, reinforces what evaluators across the league have been hinting at for months. This is not a typical first round. The blue-chip tier is thinner than usual, positional value is being de-emphasized, and front offices are operating without the usual guardrails.

One general manager told Schrager that teams can essentially “throw positional value out the window” this year. That’s not hyperbole. It’s a reflection of a class where premium positions like offensive tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback lack depth at the top, while some of the best overall players play traditionally devalued roles.

That’s how you get a first round that feels less like a script and more like live television.

What a Chaotic Draft Means for the Bears at No. 25

For a team picking 25th, this kind of volatility cuts both ways.

On one hand, the Bears could find themselves staring at a player who, in a stronger class, carries a second-round grade. That’s the downside of a diluted talent pool. On the other hand, it creates flexibility for general manager Ryan Poles to trust his board rather than chase positional need.

In Schrager’s projection, Chicago leans into that need anyway, selecting former Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker.

The logic is straightforward. The Bears still need a consistent pass rush opposite Montez Sweat, and Parker’s 2024 production, when he recorded 11 sacks, offers a glimpse of what that ceiling could look like. Even with a dip to five sacks in 2025, the traits remain intriguing enough to justify late first-round consideration.

Is Edge Rusher Really the Right Call?

The assumption all offseason has been that the Chicago Bears must leave Round 1 with an edge rusher. But the closer you study the board, the less convincing that becomes.

If the available edge prospects don’t project as clear upgrades over what the Bears already have, the value proposition starts to break down. Chicago has upside in Austin Booker and a foundational piece in Sweat. Adding another rotational rusher has merit, but not necessarily at pick No. 25.

The better play might be shifting the focus inside.

Interior disruption has become one of the defining traits of elite defenses, and prospects like Peter Woods offer a more direct path to improving that area. Interestingly, Schrager has Woods coming off the board one pick after Chicago. That kind of proximity suggests the Bears could be choosing between two Clemson defenders who solve very different problems.

If Poles is prioritizing impact over positional convention, defensive tackle might carry the higher ceiling.

The Bears' Bottom Line

For the first time in years, the Chicago Bears are not drafting out of desperation. They are drafting from a position of relative strength, coming off a 2025 season that reestablished them as a legitimate contender in the NFC.

Instead of chasing a savior, Chicago can target a complementary piece. A player who raises the floor of the defense or solidifies a key spot along the offensive line. The expectation is no longer immediate stardom. It's a steady, meaningful contribution.

Whether the pick is Parker, Woods, or someone entirely unexpected, the real story is the freedom the Bears have earned. They don’t need to force a decision. They can let the board come to them.

In a year where no one truly knows how Round 1 will unfold, that patience could be their biggest advantage.