Chicago Bears Veterans on Notice After 2026 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears’ 2026 NFL Draft is going to ripple through the roster in a very real way, especially for a handful of veterans who entered the offseason expecting meaningful roles.

General manager Ryan Poles didn’t follow a predictable script over the three-day event. In fact, the only selections that felt telegraphed were the first two: safety Dillon Thieneman in Round 1 and center Logan Jones in Round 2.

After that, the board broke loose.

Here are the veterans who now face legitimate competition from the incoming rookie class for snaps in 2026.

Cam Lewis, Safety

Cam Lewis entered draft weekend penciled in as the starting safety next to Coby Bryant. That projection didn’t survive Round 1.

Thieneman isn’t a developmental piece; he’s a plug-and-play starter. The expectation is that he steps into the lineup immediately and becomes a foundational piece of the secondary. Paired with Bryant, he gives Chicago one of its most athletic safety duos in recent memory.

Lewis still has value. His versatility should allow defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to mix coverages and personnel groupings. But his window as a starter appears to have closed almost as quickly as it opened.

Garrett Bradbury, Center

Garrett Bradbury should open Week 1 as the starting center. But the leash may not be long.

Jones arrives with legitimate long-term starter traits, and if he flashes during camp while Bradbury delivers inconsistent play, the transition could come quickly. The Bears stabilized the position by acquiring Bradbury, but stability isn’t the same as impact.

If interior pressure becomes an issue early in the season, don’t be surprised if Jones gets his opportunity sooner rather than later.

Grady Jarrett, Defensive Line

It’s unusual for a sixth-round pick to threaten an established veteran, but Jordan van den Berg might be that exception.

There’s legitimate buzz around the former Georgia Tech defensive lineman, and internally, the Bears view him as one of the steals of the class. His skill set aligns with what Allen wants from his interior defenders.

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Grady Jarrett will open the season as a starter alongside Gervon Dexter, and there’s still a path for him to produce at a high level. But if Van den Berg develops quickly, this could shift into a true rotation — or more — by midseason.

Cole Kmet, Tight End

For the second straight year, Cole Kmet finds himself in a crowded tight end room with an unclear long-term role.

After last year’s investment in Colston Loveland, the Bears doubled down by drafting Sam Roush, who's widely viewed as the top blocking tight end in the 2026 class.

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Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is expected to lean into heavier personnel groupings, which should keep all three tight ends involved. Early on, Roush projects as a blocker and special teams contributor.

But if he quickly establishes himself as the most reliable in-line presence, his snap count will climb, and Kmet could feel the squeeze in a very real way.