Silicon Investor - Chicago Bears Fan Club

[Investor2] Caleb Williams’ initial ‘Iceman’ trademark application denied — but the Chicago ...

Investor2 — 6/25/2026 10:55:57 PM

Caleb Williams’ initial ‘Iceman’ trademark application denied — but the Chicago Bears QB can appeal the ruling

Quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates with his “Iceman” pose after a Bears victory against the Packers in an NFC wild-card game Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: June 25, 2026 at 5:53 PM CDT

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had his trademark application for the “Iceman” nickname denied this week, according to documents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Williams applied for the trademark after teammates gave him the nickname “Iceman” for his cool under pressure as he led the Bears to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs last season. The nickname took off, and Williams’ Iceman celebration even landed on a cover of Madden NFL 27.

The trademark for the nickname, however, was denied initially because of a similarity to LaCrosse Footwear’s Iceman boot liner. Williams’ application intended to use the Iceman nickname on sunglasses, trading cards, athletic bags, water bottles, T-shirts, hats and other athletic apparel.

A patent office review ruled that “a likelihood of confusion exists because the applied-for mark and the registered mark(s) create a confusingly similar commercial impression and the goods and/or services are closely related.”

LaCrosse Footwear currently has an Iceman boot liner available online for $16 on its website.

Williams, 24, will have the opportunity to appeal the ruling. He has a separate application pending for an Iceman logo, along with a number of other trademark applications, including several logos.

After Williams submitted his trademark application in March, Basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin — who also was known as Iceman during his ABA and NBA playing days in the 1970s and 1980s — also submitted a trademark application for the nickname. Former MMA fighter Chuck Liddell previously had filed for a similar trademark.

“We filed for it,” Williams said in April when asked about his trademark application and Gervin’s response. “The reaction to it? It was a little bit more funny to me. Obviously I’ve been having communication about it and trying to figure it all out. That’s an open-ended thing right now, just trying to figure it out.”

According to patent-office records, Williams filed his application March 16. Gervin filed for his four days later. Liddell’s application for “Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell” was filed in 2022 and remains under consideration.

Williams has three months to file a response to the “nonfinal” denial of his trademark application.

[Investor2] Chicago Bears will be featured in Hallmark Channel’s ‘Holiday Touchdown’ movie t...

Investor2 — 6/25/2026 10:52:12 PM

Chicago Bears will be featured in Hallmark Channel’s ‘Holiday Touchdown’ movie this Christmas

A fan dressed as the Grinch dances during the first quarter during a Bears-Browns game on Dec. 14, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: June 25, 2026 at 9:26 AM CDT

Everybody is excited about the Chicago Bears this year. Even the Hallmark Channel.

The Bears will be featured in “Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story,” the third original movie in the franchise created by Hallmark Media, the NFL and Skydance Sports. The franchise began in 2024 with a Kansas City Chiefs-themed movie — which featured cameos from coach Andy Reid, several players and even tight end Travis Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce.

Last year, the franchise made a Buffalo Bills-themed movie that featured cameos from numerous Bills players past and present, including current safety Damar Hamlin and legendary quarterback Jim Kelly.

Bears coach Ben Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland announced this year’s Bears-themed movie in a video released Thursday morning.

Hallmark put out a casting call for extras to film at Soldier Field on July 7 and 8 for football fans who are at least 18 years old.

Extras must be willing to wear “winter attire” while filming during the daytime in July. The call for extras noted that it’s a bonus if you have Bears apparel, and particularly if you have Bears apparel from the 1960s, ’70s or Super Bowl XX era. Hallmark is also looking for those with Bears-themed tailgating items or cars with Bears decorations. You can register at www.4starcasting.com.

A release date has not been announced, but the film will be out in 2026 as part of Hallmark Channel’s 17th annual “Countdown to Christmas.”

“After the tremendous success of our first two Holiday Touchdown movies, we knew we wanted to continue the tradition by partnering with another iconic NFL franchise and fan base,” Hallmark Media President Darren Abbott said in a statement. “The Chicago Bears have a rich history, passionate supporters, and a culture that extends far beyond the football field, making them a perfect fit for a heartwarming holiday story.”

Production will begin this summer and will film entirely at locations in and around Chicago, showcasing the city’s iconic sites, historic traditions and passion for the Bears.

“We are honored, grateful and excited to join forces with Hallmark Media, Skydance Sports and NFL Films on this special project,” Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement. “As we continually look for ways to further the connection with our passionate Chicago Bears fans and amplify our global brand in creative ways, we will provide our club and our fans with the opportunity to grow together by creating a special, meaningful movie.”

Skydance Sports serves as the executive producer of the film. An exclusive content partner of the NFL, Skydance Sports is behind such films as “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,” the Netflix series about Jerry Jones and the 1990s Cowboys, as well as “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” on HBO and the recently released “Rafa” about tennis star Rafael Nadal on Netflix.

The cast for the Bears movie will be announced at a later date.

[ggersh] I blame the McCaskey's and greed for this debacle billionaires by nothing they t...

ggersh — 6/14/2026 12:00:54 PM

I blame the McCaskey's and greed for this debacle
billionaires by nothing they themselves ever did need
more money than they'll ever spend in their lifetimes

[Investor2] [youtube video]

Investor2 — 6/14/2026 12:15:23 AM

[ggersh] DaHoosier Bears......smfh

ggersh — 6/10/2026 9:36:03 AM

[ggersh] That the Bears went and leveraged Chicago against both Arlington Heights/Hammond...

ggersh — 6/10/2026 9:23:01 AM

That the Bears went and leveraged Chicago against
both Arlington Heights/Hammond to get tax breaks
leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth.

The family is worth billions off of nothing they've ever
done in their life is a turn off for me.

Maybe the Bears should've taken their fans more seriously
as I can't see anything good about this relocation.

A Super Bowl from Hammond Indiana.....smfh

[Augustus Gloop] No matter how they try and sell it, it's a drag. The Bears will still be the Be...

Augustus Gloop — 6/9/2026 6:25:12 PM

No matter how they try and sell it, it's a drag.

The Bears will still be the Bears - this isn't like Baltimore leaving for Indy - but it just didn't need to happen.

At some point Chicago will likely have to declare bankruptcy so they may as well toss in some money and keep the Bears in downtown Chicago.

[Investor2] [youtube video]

Investor2 — 6/9/2026 4:10:42 PM

[Augustus Gloop] Chicago needs to find a way. I read today that the Bears generate 1.3 billion i...

Augustus Gloop — 6/7/2026 6:11:16 PM

Chicago needs to find a way.

I read today that the Bears generate 1.3 billion in economic boost annually. At least that's enough to cover Pritzker's groceries for a month

[Investor2] The Chicago press is convinced that it's not a done deal yet. I2

Investor2 — 6/7/2026 5:35:57 PM

[Augustus Gloop] I know what you're saying but it's the Chicago Bears. It would be like moving t...

Augustus Gloop — 6/7/2026 5:13:29 PM

I know what you're saying but it's the Chicago Bears.

It would be like moving the Cubs, Red Sox, Packers.....ya just don't do it.

I mean - who even remembers that the Cardinals are the oldest team in the NFL?

[Investor2] I don't think it's that big of a deal. Think about the New York Jets, the New Y...

Investor2 — 6/7/2026 4:23:54 PM

I don't think it's that big of a deal. Think about the New York Jets, the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys, the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and Washington Commanders.

Although you would need to go another 20 miles to come down from Green Bay to the Bears stadium. :)

Best wishes,

I2

[Heywood40] Soon, Packers/Bears games will be referred to as Hammond/Cheese games.

Heywood40 — 6/6/2026 3:29:19 AM

[Augustus Gloop] It makes me ill. The Bears ARE Chicago!

Augustus Gloop — 6/5/2026 7:37:27 PM

[Investor2] Wow!! I guess the Illinois politicians should have taken the Bears more serious...

Investor2 — 6/5/2026 1:50:05 PM

Wow!! I guess the Illinois politicians should have taken the Bears more seriously.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Bears say they will proceed with plans for a stadium in Hammond

1 of 11
A golfer hits from the rough at Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond, Indiana on May 13, 2026, with the backdrop of BP Whiting Refinery. Lost Marsh Golf Course would likely be part of the Bears Hammond stadium footprint. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/)

By Robert McCoppin | rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune and Maya Wilkins | Post-Tribune
PUBLISHED: June 5, 2026 at 11:16 AM CDT | UPDATED: June 5, 2026 at 12:23 PM CDT

The Chicago Bears will proceed with plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, the organization announced Friday.

“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected,” the team said in a joint statement from Chairman George H. McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren. “We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”

The board’s decision comes less than a week after the Illinois legislature adjourned, without taking up a last-ditch Senate bill that would have allowed Arlington Heights or Chicago to enter into a public-private ownership deal with the NFL franchise. Such legislation would have given the team a path to build a new stadium without paying property taxes on the facility, bill sponsors said.

The Illinois General Assembly’s failure to take up the bill, which several House lawmakers said was due to a lack of time to study the proposal, immediately raised questions about the fate of the Bears’ future home stadium. The team has an offer from Indiana to construct a taxpayer-financed stadium and surrounding mixed-use entertainment district in Hammond, near Wolf Lake, 20 miles southeast of Chicago.

The Indiana state legislature approved a bill earlier this year that created a framework for the Bears to build a stadium in which the team will invest over $2 billion in constructing the stadium and the state promises to invest $1 billion through various taxes.

Gov. Mike Braun — who signed the bill into law within an hour of its final approval — will handle the remaining business with the Bears and the team’s proposal for Hammond, officials previously said. Braun issued a statement Friday welcoming the team.

“Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state!” the governor said. “We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ’85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come. An NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region like we haven’t seen before.”

In a phone interview following the announcement, Indiana state Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, said he could not fully express his joy over the news.

“What this means for the area, what this means for the state as a whole, is extremely exciting,” Harris said.

Harris’ father, Earl Harris Sr., worked to bring the Bears to northwest Indiana during his time in the legislature.

“This is something that was a vision of my father’s in the 90’s,” he said. “To see it come to fruition now means so much to me as his son and so much to me as a representative in northwest Indiana.”

Harris said officials are still hammering out next steps with the team.

“Obviously, we will have to finalize the timeline with the Bears, … like when ground will be broken and when things will start moving in terms of Hammond,” he said. “So the announcement is great, but that’s only part of the process. There’ll be more work to come down the line.”

A spokesperson for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson downplayed the news Friday, emphasizing that team officials have said an out-of-state move is not an absolute certainty.

“Over the last several years the Bears have stated their intentions in multiple jurisdictions, today’s announcement is not surprising,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “It’s also not surprising that Bears officials have stated this vote does not mean a move to Hammond is a done deal. Without a final site selection, until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City will continue to engage in discussions grounded in the interests of our residents.”

Bears leadership Brian McCaskey, from left, Kevin Warren, George McCaskey and Patrick McCaskey listen as head coach Ben Johnson speaks at Halas Hall on Jan. 21, 2026, in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

The team’s announcement, however, could signal the closing lap of a Chicago Bears stadium saga that began in September 2021, when the franchise put in a bid to purchase the former Arlington International Racecourse, a 326-acre property in the northwest suburb of Arlington Heights that had been home to horse racing for generations. That move signaled the team’s first serious step toward leaving Soldier Field, where the Bears have played since 1971 and which underwent a major renovation in 2003.

The team closed on the $197.2 million purchase of the Arlington Park land in February 2023, with the sprawling property that straddles the border of Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows being seen as having potential for a mixed-use development featuring a domed stadium, hotels, retail space, housing and entertainment venues.

But almost immediately after the purchase closed, the suburban stadium plan became the subject of a property tax dispute in which Cook County officials assessed the land based on the sale price rather than the valuation the previous owner, Churchill Downs, had been taxed on.

While negotiations over property taxes among the Bears, the village of Arlington Heights, and three local school districts — Township High School District 214, High School District 211, and Elementary School District 15 — dragged through 2023 and into 2024, the team in April 2024, one day before the NFL Draft, unveiled a dramatic pivot: a $4.7 billion proposal to build a publicly owned, domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront, just south of Soldier Field.

The plan called for the team to contribute roughly $2.3 billion, while seeking approximately $900 million in public financing through the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority and another $1.5 billion in taxpayer-funded infrastructure improvements around the site.

Mayor Brandon Johnson stood shoulder to shoulder with Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren at the lakefront stadium announcement, embracing the proposal and declaring Chicago the best home for the franchise. But Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic legislative leaders were notably absent from the event, and Pritzker quickly described the plan as a nonstarter in Springfield.

The Chicago deal never moved forward in the state Capitol and was quickly shelved as talks progressed between the team and the local government bodies regarding the Arlington Heights site. Then another rival site entered the picture – Indiana.

In late 2025, the Bears expressed interest in moving to Hammond about 20 miles south of downtown Chicago, as Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. proposed building a domed stadium near Wolf Lake, which straddles the Indiana-Illinois border, and described a planned entertainment district — hotels, restaurants and other amenities — as a virtual city-within-a-city he called “Bearsville.”

Indiana lawmakers moved swiftly to make their pitch concrete. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, a Republican, championed legislation that established the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority and authorized the state to commit roughly $1 billion in public funding toward a potential Bears project. The money would be raised through an admissions tax, a new professional sports development district capturing retail, food and beverage taxes near the stadium, and a toll hike on the Indiana Toll Road. The Bears would retain all revenue generated by the dome and could eventually purchase it for one dollar once the 40-year bonds are paid off by taxpayers.

The Bears responded to Indiana’s gambit enthusiastically. When the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-0 in February to advance the legislation, the team issued a statement calling the development “the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” and expressing a “vision” to build near Wolf Lake.

The Indiana plan is far from a done deal and questions remain about whether the site is feasible.

Still, after the Bears’ statement, Pritzker said he was “surprised” by it, and Illinois lawmakers scrambled to push forward their own legislative response.

In late April, the Illinois House passed a so-called megaprojects bill that would allow the Bears to enter into special payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, agreements with local governments. The House legislation would allow large-scale developers, such as the Bears, to freeze their property tax assessments for 25 to 45 years in exchange for the PILOT payments. The Bears were also seeking some $855 million in infrastructure funding.

Unlike Indiana’s package, the Illinois bill would not fund direct stadium construction but would aim to give the Bears the financial certainty they said was essential to move forward at Arlington Park.

While the governor and lawmakers repeatedly insisted the megaprojects proposal wasn’t being put forward solely to benefit the Bears, team officials and lobbyists were in regular communication with top Pritzker administration officials and key legislators throughout the spring session, weighing in on some of the most intricate details of the plan, records the Tribune obtained show.

The House bill also included provisions allowing half of PILOT payments to flow back as property tax relief for homeowners in the surrounding taxing districts and across the state.

But serious questions about the House bill quickly arose. The Bears didn’t fully embrace it, and other lawmakers didn’t either. Lawmakers said they were trying to balance the team’s concerns with public pushback against giving away benefits to a multibillion-dollar sports franchise.

At least one watchdog group expressed concerns that the legislation could poke more holes into the property tax base in the service of very large developers across the state, beyond just the Bears. The legislation then sat in the Senate for several weeks as talks continued to tweak it amid concerns about whether its property tax relief provisions would be workable.

As Illinois senators worked on a compromise bill, another wrench got tossed into the works. In early May, Johnson visited Springfield and, seemingly out of nowhere, raised the prospect of resurrecting the lakefront stadium plan. Later, a key state senator said negotiations were slow-going because Johnson’s comments got Chicago-based lawmakers dragging their feet on the Senate compromise bill.

Pritzker and Johnson have bickered in recent weeks over the bill, with the governor repeatedly insisting that the mayor had “no plan” for a new Bears lakefront stadium, while the mayor said the 2024 plan never got a “fair” hearing in Springfield.

The board’s vote will likely be unpopular with Chicago residents. In a recent poll conducted by Suffolk University in Boston published by the Tribune, 56% of respondents said they would rather see the team move to Arlington Heights, compared with 10% who would prefer Indiana. Another 26% said they didn’t care either way.

[ggersh] Breaking News Da Bears are now the Hammond Bears, smfh [X] Statement from Cha...

ggersh — 6/5/2026 12:57:25 PM

Breaking News

Da Bears are now the Hammond Bears, smfh

[X]

Statement from Chairman George H. McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren: pic.twitter.com/U4lHzSV8Zv
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 5, 2026

[/X]

[Investor2] Agreed. I2

Investor2 — 6/5/2026 11:43:39 AM

[ggersh] It's absolutely nuts how this is playing out no matter the outcome

ggersh — 6/5/2026 9:31:45 AM

[Investor2] Still, by 7 p.m. Sunday, five hours before the session-ending deadline, no actua...

Investor2 — 5/31/2026 9:20:50 PM

Still, by 7 p.m. Sunday, five hours before the session-ending deadline, no actual legislation had surfaced.

Illinois lawmakers scramble for last-ditch Bears stadium deal after Arlington Heights PILOT plan collapses
By Rick Pearson | rpearson@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune and Jeremy Gorner | jgorner@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: May 31, 2026 at 7:28 PM CDT | UPDATED: May 31, 2026 at 7:46 PM CDT

SPRINGFIELD — Faced with the collapse of a yearslong tax relief plan aimed at encouraging a Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights, state lawmakers spent Sunday, the last scheduled day of their spring session, scrambling for a Hail Mary plan that could get the votes to coerce the team to stay in Illinois.

For all of the Sundays that the Bears, one of the National Football League’s charter franchises, have competed in their 105 years — from Decatur’s Staley Field, then to Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Soldier Field — it was an off-season Sunday, far away from the gridiron, that could prove to be one of the most consequential in team history.

In the wings stood an offer from the state of Indiana, which late last year created an agency to construct a taxpayer-financed stadium and surrounding mixed-use entertainment district for the Bears in Hammond, near Wolf Lake, 20 miles southeast of Chicago.

Some of the dysfunction that plagued other legislation in this spring session also was on display with the Bears issue.

Rather than meeting together during the spring session, the Illinois House and Senate often convened on alternating weeks. The schedule effectively put each chamber into separate silos, leaving them unaware of what the other was doing and creating an atmosphere that made it hard to build momentum to move bills from one chamber to the other.

State Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago led the House in passing a measure aimed at providing the Bears with the property tax certainty they sought for the 326-acre Arlington Heights location the team acquired for $197.2 million in 2023. Buckner’s bill would have allowed the team to have its property tax assessments frozen for 25 to 45 years in exchange for making payments to local taxing bodies in lieu of taxes, known as PILOT.
But weeks after the House sent the Senate the bill, state Sen. Bill Cunningham said Saturday evening that the PILOT proposal lacked enough votes for passage — a conclusion he reached after a lengthy closed-door meeting with majority Senate Democrats.

Cunningham, who has been spearheading Bears stadium talks in the Senate, said some senators opposed giving property-tax breaks to a professional sports franchise worth billions of dollars. He also said Chicago Democrats, opposed to allowing the team to move to a suburban location, wanted a city stadium site to be an option.

“I think there’s always been, from day one, there has always been a Chicago problem with the Bears proposal,” Cunningham said. “The Bears have had a proposal on the table for a couple of years that asks Chicago members of the legislature to vote for a tax credit that would encourage a business to leave Chicago. Legislators generally don’t do that. That’s always been an obstacle to passing this bill. That’s something we’re working on addressing with our proposal.”

Lawmakers, Cunningham said, “want to be comfortable with something that protects the taxpayers, something that their constituents can live with, whether or not the Bears are supportive of it, (which) is very much a secondary concern.”

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and the Bears had said publicly that the team’s choices to relocate from Soldier Field, its home since 1971, came down to the Arlington Heights property, the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse, and the site in Hammond.

Also upending the focus on Arlington Heights was Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s early May visit to Springfield, where he touted resurrecting a $4.7 billion lakefront stadium proposal south of Soldier Field from 2024 that Pritzker and top lawmakers rejected out of hand as too costly to taxpayers.

Cunningham contended on Saturday night that despite the team’s public pronouncements, “the Bears have met repeatedly with the city of Chicago over the last several months to talk about” a city stadium proposal.

“Obviously, the city has made it clear they would like to be considered for a new stadium,” he said on Saturday night. “We’d like to come up with some sort of proposal that would put them on an equal plane” as Arlington Heights.

By early Sunday evening, Cunningham said talks revolved around an alternative plan that would allow municipalities to create their own stadium finance authorities, establishing a public-private partnership in which the Bears would build a stadium on public land to avoid paying property taxes on the facility.

“We’re working on a public ownership model for the stadium. So it would be owned by a public municipality,” Cunningham said. “(But) privately financed. The Bears have said they’ll spend upwards of $2.5 billion of their money on (the) stadium. So the setup would be, they would essentially pay for the stadium, enter (into) an agreement with the municipality. Could be any municipality.”

Cunningham noted that Soldier Field is owned by the Chicago Park District and sits on publicly owned land, so it doesn’t pay property taxes.

“I think all but three NFL stadiums are publicly owned right now, so it’s a pretty common model,” he said.

While a municipal stadium owned by Arlington Heights or Chicago would allow the Bears to escape paying any property taxes on the new facility, the stadium authority could negotiate with the team on the distribution of revenues derived from the facility.

Such a stadium finance authority already exists on the state level under the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, or ISFA, which oversees the renovations and construction of sports stadiums in the state. ISFA is the owner of Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and financed the 2003 renovation of Soldier Field.

Still, by 7 p.m. Sunday, five hours before the session-ending deadline, no actual legislation had surfaced.

The last-minute plan left numerous questions about how such a plan would be carried out, let alone whether it would garner support in both the House and Senate. Crain’s Chicago Business was the first to report about the alternative plan. The absence of details left many questions, not the least of which is whether the Bears would accept an alternative proposal. There also were questions about how a local stadium authority would work or own a stadium site and how it would generate revenue.

Bears’ spokesman Scott Hagel did not respond to requests for comment about the status of negotiations on Sunday.

Also unresolved was the Bears’ request for roughly $855 million in infrastructure funding related to the Arlington Heights property.

Buckner said he did not know the specifics of Cunningham’s plan.

“The Senate has been very clear that they’re kicking around some new ideas with their caucus on what a last-ditch effort may look like. And so I’m looking forward to hearing what the response is in the Senate, and we’ll see what can happen before the end of the night,” Buckner told reporters.

“The language is what is going to drive the day when it comes to what happens here,” he said. “Details matter.”

[Investor2] We should know soon. The Illinois legislative session ends Sunday. Best wishe...

Investor2 — 5/28/2026 12:44:50 AM

We should know soon. The Illinois legislative session ends Sunday.

Best wishes,

I2

[ggersh] This whole process has been insane. To think that the Bear ownership needs tax b...

ggersh — 5/27/2026 5:41:15 PM

This whole process has been insane. To think that
the Bear ownership needs tax breaks is mind blowing
to me, especially as we are watching the world fall
apart in real time

[Investor2] [youtube video]

Investor2 — 5/26/2026 12:34:11 AM

[Investor2] Bears kick off annual rookie minicamp at Halas Hall May 08, 2026 at 09:13 AM G...

Investor2 — 5/10/2026 6:24:43 PM

Bears kick off annual rookie minicamp at Halas Hall
May 08, 2026 at 09:13 AM

Gabby Hajduk
Writer

More than 50 pro prospects arrived at Halas Hall Thursday afternoon for the start of the Bears' annual rookie minicamp, most of whom entered the facility for the first time.

The group consisted of seven draft picks, 13 undrafted free agents, 24 rookie tryout players, five first-year players and five veteran tryout players.

While the group will hit the practice fields Friday and Saturday, their first day at facility consisted of posing for their first ever NFL headshot, meeting with various football operations departments, including athletic training, equipment, strength and high-performance and meeting both their fellow minicamp teammates and Bears coaches.

"It's been fun," third-round pick Zavion Thomas, a receiver from LSU, said. "It's a blessing just being able to be in this position, live out a childhood dream. I'm at a great organization. It's been a good time meeting my new teammates, new brothers, players that I'm gonna go to war with on Sunday, so I'm just blessed."

Related Links

"It definitely feels surreal being here," fifth-round draft pick, Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, said. "I've never even been out to Chicago, so it's cool to see the city and once you get inside the building, just to see how everything operates, and meet the people and begin understanding the culture that's going on in this building."

For the group of rookies, the two weeks since the NFL Draft leading up to rookie minicamp have been a whirlwind of emotions and a period of preparation as they gear up to start their NFL journeys. In Elliott's case, he spent most of his time between the draft and minicamp being with his family in Richmond, Missouri.

"It's been really cool," Elliott said of the past couple of weeks. "I got to spend it with my family, so that's probably the biggest thing. I was blessed to have them with me. So it's just a lot of excitement. I'm from a really small town, so anywhere I go, it's everybody's congratulating me and telling me how proud they are of me."

While the circumstances surrounding joining the Bears were slightly different for undrafted rookies, their excitement level is just as high. Kennesaw State running back Coleman Bennett, who signed with the Bears after the draft, expressed his eagerness to get to his new team's facility, begin meeting everyone in the organization and showcase his talents on the field.

"After the draft, it was just real emotional," Bennett said. "I was just excited, overly excited, and tremendously blessed to be able to get the opportunity to be able to play for this organization. I've really just been working out, spending my last time with my family, my friends before I leave, and just make sure I'm in the best shape and have the best mentality going into rookie minicamp.

"I'm big on firsts — when you first meet somebody, how you communicate, how you play, so that's very important. So I want to come in here and leave a great first impression not just on the field, but off the field. How I am in meetings, the type of leader I am, the type of person I am. I just want the coaches to know that I'm somebody that could play on the field as well as be a great teammate in the locker room and be a coachable player."

Bennett enters the league with a strong understanding of what it will take to make an NFL roster come fall, having learned from his father, Donnell Jr., who spent several years as a fullback for Kansas City and Washington. Since Bennett began playing tackle football at nine years old, his father has consistently instilled football knowledge in his son while also providing him advice about the business aspect of the NFL as well as the value of being a professional in every aspect of both football and life.

The Bennetts' father-son relationship really came full circle Thursday when Coleman walked into the Bears' locker room for the first time and saw he had been randomly assigned No. 30, the same number that Donnell Jr. wore.

"I saw that jersey in my locker and immediately took a picture, sent it to my family group chat with my three brothers and both my parents. I sent it in there and I was just like, 'This is crazy.' And then when I called my mom a little while after, she was like, 'It was 30 years ago that your dad had number 30.' So that was really cool."

Over the course of the next two days, all 54 players will have an equal opportunity to showcase what makes them an NFL-caliber player on the practice field, in meeting rooms and around the building.

"I just want to show everyone that I'm a player that they can rely on and I can do more than just my job," Elliott said. "I can help people out around me as well."

"Just being able to showcase my talents," Thomas said about the opportunity this weekend. "Just letting them know that I'm the guy that they're looking for. I'm the guy that they think they drafted and more."

Here are the players who are scheduled to participate in the rookie minicamp:

Draft picks (7):

Dillon Thieneman, first-round defensive back
Logan Jones, second-round offensive lineman
Sam Roush, third-round tight end
Zavion Thomas, third-round receiver
Malik Muhammad, fourth-round defensive back
Keyshaun Elliott, fifth-round linebacker
Jordan van den Berg, sixth-round defensive lineman

Undrafted free agents (13):

Caden Barnett, Wyoming offensive lineman
Coleman Bennett, Kennesaw State running back
KC Eziomume, Tulane defensive back
Beau Gardner, Georgia long snapper
Omari Kelly, Michigan State receiver
Jaren Kump, Utah offensive lineman
Hayden Large, Iowa tight end
Jayden Loving, Wake Forest defensive lineman
Miller Moss, Louisville quarterback
Mason Murphy, Auburn offensive lineman
Gabriel Plascencia, San Diego State kicker
Skyler Thomas, Oregon State defensive back
Squirrel White, Florida State receiver

Bears first-year pros (5):

Luke Elkin, long snapper
Qadir Ismail, receiver
Dontae Manning, defensive back
Jeremiah Martin, defensive lineman
JP Richardson, receiver

Rookie tryout players (24):

Michael Brescia, Western Michigan tight end
Keelan Crimmins, Illinois punter
Jax Harrington, Louisiana offensive lineman
Dimetrius (DJ) Harris, Youngstown State defensive back
Dylan Hazen, Wake Forest linebacker
Kyron Hudson, Penn State receiver
Joshua Kreutz, Illinois offensive lineman
Darrian Lewis, West Virginia defensive back
Wayne Matthews, Michigan State linebacker
Maverick McIvor, Western Kentucky quarterback
Patrick McMurtrie, James Madison offensive lineman
Trey Miller, Louisiana tight end
Michael (Clay) Patterson, Stanford defensive lineman
Devin Pringle, Connecticut defensive back
Jaydon Southard, Stephen F. Austin linebacker
Najee Story, Northwestern defensive lineman
Nikko Taylor, Oregon State defensive lineman
Macintosh (Mac) Uihlein, Northwestern linebacker
Christian Vaughn, Hawaii running back
Dain Walter, Wisconsin La-Crosse offensive lineman
Jaheim Ward, Eastern Kentucky defensive back
Jai Williams, Quincy defensive lineman
Leshon Williams, Kansas runnng back
Logan Wilson, Cincinnati defensive back

Veteran tryout players (5):

Amari Burney, linebacker
Anthony Johnson, defensive back
Scotty Miller, receiver
Jon Rhattigan, linebacker
Montrell Washington, receiver

[Investor2] Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is angling to make one last-minute gasp to keep th...

Investor2 — 5/8/2026 9:23:46 PM

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is angling to make one last-minute gasp to keep the Bears from leaving town.

Good for him! Good luck.

I2

[ggersh] bleachernation.com

ggersh — 5/8/2026 1:27:26 PM

[Investor2] Editorial: The mayor of Hammond makes his case for snagging Chicago Bears A bett...

Investor2 — 5/7/2026 11:25:23 PM

Editorial: The mayor of Hammond makes his case for snagging Chicago Bears
A better match for the team’s blue-collar roots, says Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. applauds after the House Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Bill 27, a stadium authority bill that will create the financial structure for a Chicago Bears stadium, at the Indiana State House in Indianapolis on Feb. 19, 2026. (Andy Lavalley/for the Chicago Tribune)

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: May 6, 2026 at 5:00 AM CDT | UPDATED: May 6, 2026 at 8:12 AM CDT

As the mayor of Hammond sees it, Arlington Heights is where people wear tuxedos and sip Champagne.

No place for Da Bears, he argues, given the team’s famously blue-collar roots.

But Hammond, with the city of Chicago literally across the street? In the view of Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr., that is the tippety-top spot for a new stadium for the Monsters of the Midway.

Who cares about the state line anyway? It’s not like the games won’t still sell out.

Bears players and staffers, McDermott told us, have been golfing for years on Hammond’s serene Lost Marsh Golf Course, conveniently combinable with a trip to the high-performing Horseshoe Casino, which might at least partially explain why Hammond became either a preferred site or, depending on how you view the Bears’ multifarious manipulations, their preferred bargaining chip against a state of Illinois that has been famously reluctant to give the Bears what they want.

Indiana, of course, has come through with everything the Bears want, financially speaking, but only if they are willing to move to a 350-acre site near Wolf Lake in Hammond.

Geese graze on Lost Marsh Golf Course across from Wolf Lake Memorial Park, part of an area that may be designated to build a potential Chicago Bears stadium in Hammond, Feb. 19, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

“The Bears will save billions by coming to Hammond,” the mayor told us, making the fair point that if this simply were a business deal, this would be a no-brainer, given the difference in the two state’s incentives (and, we’ll add, their ability to offer such incentives to a private business). But he knows it is not.

“Indiana has a great offer on the table,” he said. “But there is a nostalgia factor.”

Ay, there’s the rub, as Hamlet famously said.

There’s a political factor, too, when it comes to the future of Gov. JB Pritzker.

We enjoyed talking with the very likable and frank McDermott, who has been in his job since 2003 and clearly knows and cares for every inch of his community. In our hourlong conversation last week, he told us numerous times how much he loves Chicago and how happy he was when Rahm Emanuel was still mayor, and he was willing to talk with him.

He repeated his (and Hammond’s) Democratic Party bona fides, Indiana of course being a state controlled by Republicans, and asserted that at least 90% of Hammond’s population is made up of Bears fans, implying that is not the case in Arlington Heights. He told us, more than once, how much affection he feels for Illinois, his rivals in this long-lived dance with a much-desired partner. And he even said he’d like to see the Bears stay in Chicago, but just believes that is not going to happen and Hammond is the second-best choice.

We’ve not heard that magnanimity reciprocated much in Illinois. But then northwest Indiana is used to that kind of treatment.

“I don’t believe Illinois can afford the Bears,” McDermott said at one point before jumping right back in with, “I am not trying to be a jerk by saying this.”

We did not assume he was. On the contrary, he made a good point.

Among the other things we learned, aside from Hammond being the only Indiana site ever under serious consideration, was the scale of the investment the Bears already have sunk into its Hammond explorations, which clearly go beyond a leverage play, which does not mean they are not also a leverage play.

We heard McDermott dismiss the environmental smearing that has been part of this process. The 350-acre site by Wolf Lake that the Bears plan to use for a potential stadium and associated “amenities,” he said when pressed, is “clean as a whistle.”

But the main argument he used is that Hammond is a perfect match, culturally, for the Bears, being far more diverse than suburban Arlington Heights (Hammond is 23% Black compared with 2% in Arlington Heights, according to the U.S. Census Bureau). And a better deal for the fans, too, given what he calls “The Gap” when it comes to tax rates on parking, the price of those half-time brewskis and on tickets that would not be subject to any Illinois amusement tax.

We had long wanted to ask one of the Indiana leaders in the Bears’ wooing why they appear willing to give so much to a team that seemingly had made no commitment to them. If you try to negotiate in a car dealership, we told the mayor, the salesman typically says, “if I can do this for you, will you drive the car home tonight?” Only then does the salesperson go in and talk to the manager.

But in Indiana, the evidence suggests no such commitment was either sought or granted.

“I wish they’d choose Hammond right now and just start building the stadium,” McDermott told us, by way of a response. “But they are in the position of power and they are comparing offers. My job is to close deals and bring people to the city of Hammond.”

Fighting words, Mr. Mayor. But there are deals and there is this deal. A deal that could make him mayor for life, although that might happen anyway.

Either way, McDermott had a couple more baubles to dangle.

If the Bears go to Hammond, drivers will likely exit at 129th Street.

“We want to name that Walter Payton Street,” McDermott said.

There’s already a Lake George in Hammond where folks fish for bass.

The mayor said they’ll also change that to Lake George McCaskey in honor of the Bears’ chairman and controlling owner.

Chicago Tribune Opinion: Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and to receive emails from Chicago Tribune.

The mayor didn’t add that line about not wanting to be a jerk that time.

Here, finally, was hard Indiana ball in the most genial of packages.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

[Investor2] Breaking down the Chicago Bears depth chart before rookie minicamp By Phil Thom...

Investor2 — 5/7/2026 5:38:45 PM

Breaking down the Chicago Bears depth chart before rookie minicamp
By Phil Thompson | plthompson@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: May 7, 2026 at 6:00 AM CDT | UPDATED: May 7, 2026 at 3:50 PM CDT

The NFL draft is done and free agency is mostly complete, so the Chicago Bears roster appears fairly set heading into the next phase of offseason workouts.

First up is rookie minicamp, which takes place Friday and Saturday at Halas Hall.

The Bears drafted seven prospects and added another 13 undrafted free agents, according to reports (the team has yet to announce those signings). They also signed nine veteran free agents. But questions remain about whether they fully addressed all of their needs.

Few of the new players present as obvious challengers to incumbent starters. That’s partly because some of the draft picks look like long-term projects or reserves, while some veteran additions are clearly role players. Meanwhile, the path to some starting jobs was cleared for newcomers by free-agent departures.

The Bears made it a point to obtain speed and competitiveness this offseason. According to NFL IQ, an artificial-intelligence-powered analytics hub, the Bears had the most athletic draft class based on the average score of a team’s first seven picks (82.5).

Here’s a look at how the depth chart stacks up at each position, including where the order might be in flux.

Key: (R) rookie draft pick, (FA) veteran free agent, (UFA) undrafted rookie free agent, (INJ) injured

Quarterback

Starter: Caleb Williams

Reserves: Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, Miller Moss (UFA)

Staying put: Not much to see here. Williams is the franchise quarterback, and that doesn’t figure to change anytime soon.

In flux: Bagent, who’s under contract through 2027, has drawn trade interest from teams, but neither he nor the Bears want to see him depart — unless the return offer gets too good to ignore. … Keenum, 38, signed a two-year contract in March to continue providing veteran guidance. … Moss backed up Williams for two seasons at USC (2022-23) before throwing for 2,679 yards as a senior last season at Louisville. He could be insurance in case the Bears trade Bagent.

Running back

Starter: D’Andre Swift

Reserves: Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson, Brittain Brown, Deion Hankins, Coleman Bennett (UFA)

Staying put: It was a revolutionary 2025 season for Swift, who ranked fourth in rushing expected points added (+10.7) among qualifiers and seventh with 30 runs of 10 yards or more, according to NFL Pro. Monangai, the other half of the Bears’ one-two punch, ranked sixth in rushing success rate (47.9%), measured as the percentage of carries resulting in positive EPA.

In flux: Johnson saw a drastically reduced role, from 272 offensive snaps (23.94%) in 2024 to just four (0.35%) and from 55 rushing attempts to two. As primarily a special teamer, could his roster spot be in jeopardy? … Brown played in only three games with just five carries. … Hankins, an undrafted rookie in 2025, spent the whole season on injured reserve with shoulder and quadriceps injuries. … Bennett stands out as a tackle-breaker who also can catch passes (seven in Kennesaw State’s Conference USA championship win over Jacksonville State). He’s one to watch.

Wide receiver

Starters: Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III

Reserves: Kalif Raymond (FA), Jahdae Walker, Zavion Thomas (R), Maurice Alexander, JP Richardson, Squirrel White (UFA), Omari Kelly (UFA)

Staying put: The Bears traded DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, so Odunze and Burden must step into larger roles.

In flux: With the departures of Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus, 10th-year veteran Raymond becomes the senior presence in the receiver room. … Walker could be counted on more regularly. He was a camp darling last summer and scored the tying touchdown during a comeback overtime win against the Green Bay Packers in December. … Thomas projects as a gadget player and field stretcher until he shows he can handle more. … Alexander and Richardson were practice squad fixtures in 2025; Alexander played one offensive snap. … White is a slot receiver with good speed, but his overall Relative Athletic Score (1.53) is the worst among the Bears rookie class. He had just five catches for 52 yards in 10 games for Florida State last year. … Kelly bounced from Auburn to Middle Tennessee State to Michigan State, making 47 receptions for 626 yards (13.3 average) for the Spartans in 2025.

Tight end

Starters: Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet

Reserves: Sam Roush (R), Nikola Kalinic, Qadir Ismail, Stephen Carlson, Hayden Large (UFA)

Staying put: The runway is clear for Loveland to build on his second-half surge. … Kmet probably will find himself the subject of trade rumors once again, but coach Ben Johnson really likes his fit in 12 and 13 personnel.

In flux: Roush ranked highest among rookie tight ends with a 9.95 Relative Athletic Score, though his arm length (30 5/8 inches) is considered short for his 6-foot-6 frame. … Both Kalinic and Carlson spent all but two games last season on the practice squad. … Ismail, the son of former NFL wide receiver Qadry “The Missile” Ismail, signed a reserve/futures contract in January to return to the Bears. … Large (6-4, 250 pounds) is another athletic prospect whose bread and butter is blocking.

Tackle

Starters: Braxton Jones (left), Darnell Wright (right)

Reserves: Ozzy Trapilo (INJ), Theo Benedet, Jedrick Wills Jr. (FA), Kiran Amegadjie, Mason Murphy (UFA)

Staying put: The Bears picked up Wright’s fifth-year option and hope to lock him up with a long-term extension.

In flux: Jones was limited throughout camp last year by his recovery from December 2024 ankle surgery, but that wasn’t the only factor in his losing the starting job in Week 4 to Benedet — who later lost it to Trapilo. … Trapilo’s knee injury in the wild-card playoff game will sideline him for most of next season, and the Bears didn’t draft a tackle. They did sign former first-round pick Wills, but he didn’t play at all last season while recovering from his own knee injury. … In short, Jones, Benedet and Wills all have their blemishes. … Amegadjie has drawbacks too — he lost most of last season to an elbow injury — but the Bears saw enough to spend a 2024 third-round pick on him. Could there still be untapped potential? The Bears have expressed optimism, noting Amegadjie will have his first full offseason and also has been working at guard entering a pivotal third season. … Murphy, primarily a right tackle at Auburn last year, also filled in at center for three games.

Guard

Starters: Joe Thuney (left), Jonah Jackson (right)

Reserves: Jordan McFadden, Luke Newman, Kyle Hergel, Caden Barnett (UFA)

Staying put: Thuney, a first-team All-Pro last season and winner of the inaugural NFL Protector of the Year award, is entrenched at left guard. But at 33, his availability is season by season. … Jackson formed a formidable tandem with Wright on the right side.

In flux: McFadden spent most of last season on the practice squad but played the final five regular-season games and started the divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. … Newman, a sixth-round pick last year, played 25 offensive snaps (2.17%). He’s also working at center. … The Bears signed Hergel to the practice squad before Week 10. … Barnett was named second-team All-Mountain West at Wyoming.

Center

Starter: Garrett Bradbury

Reserves: Logan Jones (R), Jaren Kump (UFA)

In flux: Someone has to inherit the starting center spot vacated by Drew Dalman’s retirement, and it’s likely that Bradbury, a veteran trade acquisition from the New England Patriots, will get the nod over second-round pick Jones, at least early in the season. … Kump logged 59 games in six seasons at Utah.

Defensive end

Starters: Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingo (INJ)

Reserves: Austin Booker, Shemar Turner (INJ), Daniel Hardy, Jamree Kromah, Jeremiah Martin, Jonathan Garvin

Staying put: Sweat, the highest-paid Bear, may be the only edge rusher you could pencil in as an every-game starter with 100% certainty. The Bears were “involved” in trade talks for the Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby but refused to get in a bidding war. They also didn’t draft an edge, so they’re riding with last year’s bunch — for now.

In flux: This could be a make-or-break season for Odeyingbo, who is coming off a midseason torn Achilles and will count $20.5 million against the salary cap this year. The Bears could save $15 million if they released him next offseason. Coaches may need to deploy him as an edge rusher, but they acknowledged last season that they prefer him inside. … Booker was third on the team with 4½ sacks in 10 games, but his 3.68-second average time to pressure was fifth-slowest in the league among defensive line qualifiers. He has a high motor, but coaches admit he’s slightly undersized at 6-6, 245 pounds. … The Bears said Turner was showing growth before he was placed on IR with a torn ACL in Week 9, but the 2025 second-round pick needs to put more of it on tape. … Hardy played 77.85% of the special teams snaps last season and 5% of the defensive snaps … Kromah spent the entire season on the practice squad. … Garvin and Martin joined the practice squad in October and November, respectively.

Defensive tackle

Starters: Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr.

Reserves: Neville Gallimore (FA), Kentavius Street (FA), James Lynch (FA), Jordan van den Berg (R), Jayden Loving (UFA)

Staying put: The Bears cleaned house except for starters Jarrett and Dexter. Odeyingbo could be in the mix as well.

In flux: The 33-year-old Jarrett dealt with knee problems last season. … Dexter is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has not been offered an extension. … Both starters could be vulnerable to sixth-round pick van den Berg, who had three sacks and 11 tackles for a loss at Georgia Tech last season and rated a perfect 10 Relative Athletic Score among draft prospects. … If Dexter and Jarrett hold on to the starting spots, van den Berg, Gallimore and Street will compete to replace Andrew Billings as the primary rotational interior lineman. … Lynch previously played a reserve role for the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings. … Loving, who had 2½ sacks and three fumble recoveries last season for Wake Forest, can play across the line and has the burst to potentially pose a challenge.

Linebacker

Starters: T.J. Edwards (INJ), Devin Bush (FA)

Reserves: Noah Sewell, D’Marco Jackson, Keyshaun Elliott (R), Ruben Hyppolite II, Jack Sanborn (FA), Nephi Sewell, Dominique Hampton

Staying put: Edwards broke his fibula during the wild-card victory against the Packers. He won’t have running mate Tremaine Edmunds, who signed with the New York Giants after the Bears released him.

In flux: Bush should bring an upgrade from Edmunds in speed and range. … Noah Sewell started nine games but could face a battle with Jackson and Elliott for third in the pecking order. … Jackson was pressed into five starts by injuries and earned an NFC Defensive Player of the Week nod. Can he build on that performance? … The Bears like fifth-round pick Elliott’s physicality and ability to play either linebacker spot. … Hyppolite, a fourth-round pick in 2025, was buried on last year’s depth chart. Elliott’s selection adds another obstacle to his ascension. … Lake Zurich native Sanborn returns home after one season (five starts) with the Dallas Cowboys. … Nephi Sewell signed a reserve/futures contract to reunite with his brother Noah and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, his former head coach with the New Orleans Saints. … Hampton joined the practice squad in late November.

Cornerback

Starters: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon (nickel)

Reserves: Malik Muhammad (R), Terell Smith, Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell, Dallis Flowers, Dontae Manning, KC Eziomume (UFA)

Staying put: Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was hampered by a groin injury and made only six starts in 2025. … Gordon played only five games, including the playoffs. … Stevenson started 10 out of the 15 games he played, including postseason. He was benched in favor of Nahshon Wright when Johnson returned.

In flux: The Bears traded up to get Muhammad in the fourth round, called a steal by a consensus of draft experts. The front office likes his competitiveness and speed. Muhammad looks like the front-runner to be the first boundary corner off the bench, and he could challenge Stevenson. … Smith missed last season with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. … Jones received 39 defensive snaps but mostly played special teams. … Blackwell played just three snaps on defense but stood out on special teams. … Flowers and Manning were mainly practice squad players. … Eziomume has good size at 6-1, 198 pounds.

Editor’s note: The Bears waived cornerback Zah Frazier, a 2025 fifth-round pick who missed last season for personal reasons, after publication of this article.

Safety

Starters: Coby Bryant (FA), Dillon Thieneman (R)

Reserves: Cam Lewis (FA), Elijah Hicks, Gervarrius Owens, Skyler Thomas (UFA)

In flux: There are no returning starters as Bryant and Thieneman take over. … Bryant has the “trained killer” mentality that Ben Johnson salivates over. … Thieneman has ideal start-stop ability, can hunt down ball carriers through lanes and instinctually reads plays from center field. … Lewis likely plugs in as the Swiss Army knife of the secondary, with experience at nickel corner in addition to safety. … Hicks has served mostly on special teams, but the Bears believed enough in him as a depth safety to bring him back. … Owens spent last season on the practice squad. … Thomas had three interceptions and defended 17 passes in four seasons at Oregon State. He started all 12 games in each of the last two seasons.

Specialists

Starters: Cairo Santos (kicker), Tory Taylor (punter)

Reserves: Gabriel Plascencia (kicker, UFA), Luke Elkin (long snapper), Beau Gardner (long snapper, UFA)

Staying put: Santos survived a flirtation with Jake Moody last season and made 83.3% of his field goals. … Taylor ranked 22nd in net punting average (40.4 yards).

In flux: Plascencia made 36 of 41 field-goal attempts (87.8%) in three seasons for San Diego State. … Elkin was in camp with the Bears last summer and signed a reserve/futures contract in January. He’ll battle Gardner — the Mannelly Award winner as the nation’s top long snapper last season at Georgia — to replace Scott Daly.

Kick return

Starter: Zavion Thomas (R)

Reserves: Kalif Raymond (FA), Josh Blackwell, Luther Burden III

Staying put: Blackwell will have a special teams role, but it’s hard to see him getting another 18 kickoff returns (as Devin Duvernay’s partner) with the upgrade in talent.

In flux: Raymond is a two-time second-team All Pro punt returner and has 62 career kickoff returns, but he may give way on both fronts to Thomas’ speed (4.28 in the 40). … The Bears drafted Thomas in the third round specifically to take better advantage of the dynamic kickoff. … Burden had eight kickoff returns as a rookie, averaging a team-high 27.9 yards. But his bigger role on offense likely makes it too risky to use him on returns. … Among undrafted rookies, Squirrel White returned punts for Florida State and Tennessee, and Omari Kelly averaged 12.5 yards on punt returns for Michigan State.

[Investor2] Chicago Bears waive cornerback Zah Frazier, a 2025 fifth-round draft pick [grap...

Investor2 — 5/7/2026 5:26:18 PM

Chicago Bears waive cornerback Zah Frazier, a 2025 fifth-round draft pick

Cornerback Zah Frazier warms up during Bears rookie camp at Halas Hall on May 9, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: May 7, 2026 at 3:21 PM CDT

The Chicago Bears released cornerback Zah Frazier on Thursday, one year after selecting him with a fifth-round pick in the draft. Frazier never appeared in a game for the Bears after missing all of last season because of a personal reason.

The Bears drafted Frazier with the 169th pick out of Texas-San Antonio. A tall, rangy cornerback, the Bears hoped he could add competition in the secondary. Instead, when training camp began last summer Frazier was not on the practice field. The team wound up placing him on the non-football injury list in late August.

Asked about Frazier after the season in January, general manager Ryan Poles indicated that he expected Frazier to be with the team in 2026.

“Yeah, so I had a good conversation with him,” Poles said Jan. 21. “He’s back. He’ll be back, you know, going into this offseason like everybody else. He feels like he is in a really good place to develop and move forward. Definitely a setback. He’s got a mountain to climb just for missing so much ball. He needed to play. So that will be up to him to be able to get himself in the right position to compete for a roster spot.”

The Bears drafted Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Muhammad joins a cornerback depth chart that includes Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell and Terell Smith, who is coming off major knee injury last year.

[ggersh] WTF can't billionaires pay their own way? UFB the highway robbery that keeps goi...

ggersh — 5/3/2026 1:50:52 PM

WTF can't billionaires pay their own way? UFB
the highway robbery that keeps going on

[Investor2] Here is the Bears spring practice schedule: May 8-9: Rookie minicampMay 27-29: ...

Investor2 — 5/2/2026 10:25:35 PM

Here is the Bears spring practice schedule:

May 8-9: Rookie minicamp
May 27-29: OTAs
June 2-4: OTAs
June 9-11: Mandatory minicamp

Dates for training camp, which typically begins in late July, have not been set. The 2026 NFL schedule is expected to be announced in mid-May.

[Investor2] Ghosts of stadiums past haunt Chicago Bears quest for a new stadium deal [graph...

Investor2 — 5/2/2026 9:40:05 PM

Ghosts of stadiums past haunt Chicago Bears quest for a new stadium deal

Soldier Field under construction on Dec. 5, 2002. The renovation was completed in 2003. The team kicked in $200 million toward the $632 million project, but the public still owes $467 million for the job. (José Moré/Chicago Tribune)

By Robert McCoppin | rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: May 2, 2026 at 5:00 AM CDT | UPDATED: May 2, 2026 at 7:47 AM CDT

As lawmakers consider helping the Chicago Bears build a new stadium, the ghosts of past stadium deals still haunt the present.

Soldier Field, Rate Field and even Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis loom over the landscape, marking steel and concrete warnings and justifications for a new stadium deal. Critics and boosters alike say we should learn from those lessons when considering whether a new deal will be a boon or a boondoggle.

“The big lesson is, read the fine print,” said Neil deMause, author of “Field of Schemes,” a book and website that analyze stadium subsidies. “A lot of deals in the past have gotten approved without legislators or the public examining all the different line items, and it ends up costing a lot more than you expect.”

In the Bears’ case, Illinois lawmakers are weighing whether to let the team negotiate a long-term property tax break with local governments in suburban Arlington Heights. The team would pay $2 billion to build the enclosed stadium at its own cost, but wants the state to pay up to $855 million in infrastructure costs such as roads and utilities.

Across the border, Indiana lawmakers have already authorized building a new domed stadium. As proposed, the Bears would kick in $2 billion, while the state would pay $1 billion.

Funding for the new stadium in Hammond would come from a property tax in a special zone around the stadium, plus a 10% admissions tax, 1% food and beverage tax in Lake and Porter counties, and 5% hotel tax in Lake County.

Fans take their seats before the NCAA title game between UConn and Michigan on April 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

To reassure residents, officials say the funding mechanism would be similar to that of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

But Indianapolis has a couple of advantages that northwest Indiana does not. It has a state convention center that helps pay expenses and imposes a 5% rental car tax and an extra 1% food and beverage tax originally instituted for the old RCA Dome, which was imploded in 2008.

State officials point to Lucas Oil as a great success story, since the state has never had to pay for the original $666 million debt. However, taxpayers still are on the hook to pay off the remaining $463 million debt through 2037.

Economic research repeatedly has shown that public subsidies for sports facilities are a bad investment, largely because they reallocate spending from other businesses and forms of entertainment. University of Indianapolis finance associate professor Matt Will agrees with that, but says the Hammond stadium could be an exception, in part by benefiting from lower construction costs in Indiana.

“It’s going to be a game changer we’ve never seen in a publicly financed stadium, because Indiana is going to move money from Illinois,” he said. Beyond the economic cost, he said, “There is a huge intrinsic value to have an NFL franchise in your city, and Hoosiers have been willing to pay for it.”

Other economists are not so optimistic. Geoffrey Propheter, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs, has estimated that a new stadium in Indiana could cost closer to $4 billion by the time you include interest costs, a likely mid-lease renovation, and lost opportunity costs from how that money could be used for better investments.

The scenario he paints isn’t much better in Illinois. Propheter has estimated the tax breaks in Arlington Heights could be worth at least $2 billion over 30 years, and could end up costing other property owners in the area.

“People who don’t care about the Bears or the stadium are going to be paying higher taxes so that their town can host the Bears, and be partly responsible for the maintenance and capital repairs to the stadium over its life,” he wrote.

Construction workers put on the finishing touches to the seats in the newly improved U.S. Cellular Field from the remodeled upper deck on April 8, 2004. The White Sox stadium is now known as Rate Field. (John Lee/Chicago Tribune)

That lesson became abundantly clear with the renovation of Soldier Field in 2003. The team kicked in $200 million toward the $632 million project. The public still owes $467 million for the job, which, once it was completed, drew widespread criticism.

The debt for that construction was supposed to be paid by annual payments of $5 million each from Chicago and the state, plus a 2% Chicago hotel tax. But those payments have fallen short in recent years, forcing the city to pay about $51 million extra in recent years. The annual amount due will go up through 2032.

Another lesson in taxpayer costs has come from the home of the Chicago White Sox baseball team, Rate Field. After the team threatened to move out of state, that stadium cost about $137 million to build when it opened in 1991. But after people were alarmed by the height of the upper deck, it cost another $118 million in renovations in the 2000s — all of it paid by taxpayers.

The public still owes another $45 million for the ball field — even as the White Sox are looking to build a new stadium again on a better site, closer to downtown.

In contrast, the 1994 construction of the United Center, where the Bulls and Blackhawks play, was privately financed, though it received tax breaks. Now, the Wirtz and Reinsdorf families that own the facility are seeking $55 million in tax incentives for the proposed $7 billion “1901 Project” mixed-use development around the arena.

The $740 million in recent renovations in and around Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs, was also paid by its owners, the Ricketts family, with a relatively small $8 million tax incentive.

And two new stadiums are planned to be built with private money: Ryan Field in Evanston, and a Chicago Fire Stadium in the South Loop, which would be likely to receive tax increment financing, or TIF, funds from the city for infrastructure.

So when the Bears propose to pay for their Arlington Heights stadium themselves, that is a welcome investment, said Dennis Coates, professor of economics at the University of Maryland in Baltimore County.

But since the Chicago metropolitan area has a gross domestic product around $900 billion, estimated by World Business Chicago, even a $2 billion splurge amounts to far less than 1% — making a small dent in the region’s economy, Coates said.

The Bears would avoid Chicago’s 9% ticket tax in Arlington Heights, but still pay at least Cook County’s 3%, which Coates said brings up another lesson of good stadium economics.

“As a matter of principle, people attending the games ought to pay the subsidy, not the little old lady who’s a fan of the opera,” he said. “In the same way, Bears fans shouldn’t pay for the little old lady to go to the opera.”

Every dollar that goes to a sports team, he emphasized, is a dollar that doesn’t go to schools, libraries or transportation. And any shortfall in public funding will likely leave taxpayers on the hook.

Despite the inequities of public financing for stadiums, perhaps the greatest lesson is that while voters often vote them down, they continue to get approved by state lawmakers.

The lesson there, Coates said, is: “People who want the stadium are more politically influential generally than the people in opposition.”

[Investor2] I don't think it would be a big deal. It would be nice to stay in downtown Chic...

Investor2 — 5/1/2026 4:35:45 PM

I don't think it would be a big deal. It would be nice to stay in downtown Chicago, but there are many NFL teams that have stadiums in the suburbs.

Best wishes,

I2

[ggersh] If they become the Hammond Bears, I'm outta here!!

ggersh — 5/1/2026 10:44:44 AM

[Investor2] NFL announces dates for Chicago Bears offseason program, starting with a 2-day r...

Investor2 — 4/30/2026 8:18:08 PM

NFL announces dates for Chicago Bears offseason program, starting with a 2-day rookie minicamp

The Bears players entrance is shown during a media tour of the Halas Hall expansion on Aug. 29, 2019, in Lake Forest. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: April 29, 2026 at 12:08 PM CDT

The NFL announced offseason workout dates for all 32 teams Wednesday. The majority of the offseason program is voluntary for veteran players.

The Chicago Bears already began phase one of their offseason program last week. It consists of two weeks of meetings and strength and conditioning workouts. During phase one, the only coaches allowed to be on the field with players are strength and conditioning coaches.

Phase two includes three weeks of on-field workouts that may include individual or group instruction. No offense-versus-defense drills are permitted.

During phase three, teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team activities (OTAs). No live contact is permitted, but teams can perform 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 team drills without tackling. During phase three, teams also can hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players.

Here is the Bears spring practice schedule:

May 8-9: Rookie minicamp
May 27-29: OTAs
June 2-4: OTAs
June 9-11: Mandatory minicamp

Dates for training camp, which typically begins in late July, have not been set. The 2026 NFL schedule is expected to be announced in mid-May.

More Bears news

[Investor2] [youtube video]

Investor2 — 4/26/2026 5:58:09 AM

[Investor2] Who did the Chicago Bears select in the 2026 NFL draft? Meet the 7-player class....

Investor2 — 4/25/2026 10:38:49 PM

Who did the Chicago Bears select in the 2026 NFL draft? Meet the 7-player class.

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune, Brad Biggs | bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune and Phil Thompson | plthompson@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune

PUBLISHED: April 25, 2026 at 8:39 AM CDT | UPDATED: April 25, 2026 at 12:33 PM CDT

The Chicago Bears’ 2026 draft class is complete. Along with selecting Oregon safety Dillon Thieleman with the No. 25 pick, they added six more players they hope will make an impact.

Here’s a look at the players general manager Ryan Poles selected in this year’s NFL draft.

2026 Bears picks

Round 1, No. 25: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman
Round 2, No. 57: Iowa center Logan Jones
Round 3, No. 69: Stanford tight end Sam Roush
Round 3, No. 89: LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas
Round 4, No. 124: Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad
Round 5, No. 166: Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott
Round 6, No. 213: Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg

Want the latest Bears news? Subscribe to the Chicago Tribune to read it all — and sign up for our Bears Insider newsletter.

Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Height, weight: 6-0, 201

Why the Bears drafted him

Thieneman gives defensive coordinator Dennis Allen another versatile defensive back whom he can move all over the field. The Bears see Thieneman as someone who can play free safety, strong safety and nickel cornerback. Paired with free-agent signee Coby Bryant at safety and returning nickel corner Kyler Gordon, the Bears can mix and match responsibilities to keep offenses guessing.

Thieneman also fills a need for a team that lost both of last year’s starting safeties, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, during free agency. Additionally, the Bears wanted to add speed on defense, and Thieneman certainly provides it. The team’s director of college scouting, Breck Ackley, said the Bears thought Thieneman’s speed looked elite on the film. So when Thieneman went to the scouting combine in February and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds, it only confirmed what the Bears saw on tape.

In his words

Thieneman, a Westfield, Ind., native, originally attended Purdue, where he led the Boilermakers in tackles for two years before transferring to Oregon.

“I feel like making the leap to Oregon was kind of preparing me for the next level already,” Thieneman said. “Going to a new place, new coaches, new scheme, new environment. So I’m kind of used to that change and how to make it and what works for me and what doesn’t. I’m able to grow from that last experience and hit the ground running.”

Thieneman was a second-team All-American in his lone season with the Ducks. He totaled 96 tackles, 3½ tackles for a loss, two interceptions, five passes defended and one sack.

Analyst’s take

“(The Bears) want safeties that can cover and Dillon Thieneman is a guy who can play center field, he can play in the box. He’s got range. Six-foot, 200 pounds, ran a 4.35 and had a 41-inch vertical. This kid made a lot of plays throughout his career, did a good job at Oregon.” — Mel Kiper, ESPN

From the front office

Ackley loves the versatility Thieneman will bring to the defense. He’s not just a one-trick pony. He can play in space in the passing game and near the line of scrimmage in the running game.

“He has nickel flex,” Ackley said. “He has versatility to play both free and strong. But the thing that stands out, if you go back to his Purdue tape (in) ’23, when he had six picks, I mean, he’s really got some center-field range stuff. Oregon used him a little bit in a rover role at times, in a different role. Safety is one of those positions where you really have to watch a lot of tape, but there is plenty of snaps for him with his range. He can flip his hips, he can cover ground and then you add in the versatility, the run support, the physicality.”

You should know

Thieneman had a game-sealing interception in September in double overtime during a prime-time game at Penn State. The Bears loved to see Thieneman make an instinctual play, undercutting the tight end’s route to seal the win, in a big moment under the lights on national television.

“We want players that can rise to the level,” general manager Ryan Poles said. “We plan on playing in a lot of big games moving forward. We’re going to — shoot, I don’t know what the schedule’s going to be, but I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of prime-time games. … Hopefully we’re back and deep into the playoffs. So we’re going to need guys that thrive in those moments, so when you show those things, we feel even better about you.”

Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
Iowa offensive lineman Logan Jones runs a drill at the NFL combine March 1, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Height, weight: 6-2, 299

Why the Bears drafted him

The Bears figured they had the position figured out for the at least several years when they paid Drew Dalman in free agency a year ago. But Dalman surprisingly retired at 27 after a Pro Bowl season, just his fifth year in the league.

The Bears covered themselves by trading a fifth-round pick in 2027 to the New England Patriots for Garrett Bradbury, but they did a lot of homework on centers over the last two months and it was clear they wanted to identify a long-term option. Given that Jones was the first center chosen in the draft, it’s easy to imagine the starting job being an open competition, and the future could come sooner rather than later for Jones, who started 51 games over the previous four seasons for the Hawkeyes.

NFL teams love combing the program for linemen, and one source said the Baltimore Ravens and the Bears did the most exhaustive work on Jones. The Ravens, of course, were looking to replace Tyler Linderbaum, another former Hawkeye.

In his words

“I take a lot of pride just playing under Coach (Kirk) Ferentz, who’s an offensive line guy and (O-line coach George) Barnett,” Jones said. “You look at the guys who have come out of Iowa and they come back in the offseason and train with us, too, so I got to ask them questions, which is just so cool all the way back from like Robert Gallery. Just a bunch of dudes who do it the right way and love Iowa, and they’re better people than they are football players, which is awesome. And to be able to talk to them and learn from them and to carry on the tradition truly is something special.”

From the front office

“He’s a mature, composed,” director of player personnel Trey Koziol said. “The football intelligence really stood out. He’s a guy that’s commanded the respect of his teammates at Iowa, captain, leader. Just a grown man. Pro-ready habits. We talk about all the things we can see on tape, the athleticism, the strength, the scrappy-play temperament and all that stuff. But it’s really the intangibles, too, that stood out. Cerebral player.”

You should know

Jones will turn 25 in October. He took a redshirt season in 2020 and was limited to one game as a defensive tackle in 2021 because of a knee injury. He moved to center in the offseason and was the replacement for Linderbaum to start the 2022 season.

Third round, No. 69: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
Stanford tight end Sam Roush misses a pass in the end zone against California on Nov. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (Jed Jacobsohn/AP)

Height, weight: 6-6, 267

Why the Bears drafted him

After trading down from the 60th pick — and picking up a fifth-round pick in the process — the Bears selected Roush early in the third round. Roush is a big, physical tight end who played in 48 games over the last four seasons at Stanford. Last season he caught 49 passes for 545 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears will add Roush to a tight end group that already includes Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.

“If you ask Coach, the more the merrier in that tight end room,” Bears director of player personnel Trey Koziol said.

Ben Johnson certainly has shown an affinity for the tight end position since arriving in Chicago last year. The Bears selected Loveland with the 10th pick in 2025.

Roush brings some serious size to the room. The one knock against his frame is that his arms, at 30 5/8 inches, are somewhat short for a player of his size. He should bring versatility as both a blocker and a pass catcher. He showed an ability to do both at Stanford.

In his words

Roush played rugby growing up and comes from a football family (more on that below). He’s not afraid to do the dirty work in the trenches. Roush was the second-leading receiver for Stanford last season, but his upside as a blocker is a big part of why the Bears drafted him.

“I love blocking,” Roush said. “The O-linemen are some of my favorite people on the team, and I love getting in the trenches and getting dirty. That’s a huge part of my game that I take so much pride in. I never want to let that go. No matter how many catches you have, you’ve always got to come back to your roots. Blocking is the gritty roots part of football. That’s how you play the game the right way, play with your head down even though you know you’re not getting credit for it.

Analyst’s take

“I tell you, if he had longer arms he would’ve been a higher pick than this. That was the issue, the short arms, how would that impact him in terms of blocking at the pro level? You talk about a good job finding soft spots in the defense, he did that at Stanford on a regular basis.” — Mel Kiper, ESPN

From the front office

Yes, the Bears already have Loveland and Kmet. But Johnson isn’t shy about his love for the tight end position, and this selection isn’t going to push Loveland or Kmet out. This is about adding a third, bigger tight end to the room, Koziol said.

“The nice thing with Sam is that he’s got the versatility to play both in-line and off the ball,” Koziol said. “So now all of a sudden, you’ve got three versatile tight ends who can each do a little bit of everything. We always talk about adding competition to the room, but it really adds a lot of versatility into the offense. Now there’s different packages that you could put in to combine the skill sets of all three.”

You should know

Roush was born in Atlanta but lived in various places growing up, including Indonesia and Malaysia for four years as a kid. His family eventually settled in Nashville, Tenn. But when he was living in Asia, Roush took up rugby. He didn’t play football until returning to America in high school.

“I think just playing a physical sport when you’re young helps build toughness,” Roush said. “Playing an organized and physical sport when I was in elementary, middle school kind of helps with form tackling and general physicality. I think it definitely translates really well and helps contact balance.”

Roush’s father, Luke, played defensive back at Duke in the late 1990s. His grandfather, Phil Olsen, was the fourth pick in the 1970 draft and played nine seasons in the NFL. Phil’s brother Merlin Olsen, Sam’s granduncle, was the No. 3 pick in 1962 and was a 14-time Pro Bowler over a 15-year Hall of Fame career with the Rams. Phil and Merlin, both defensive linemen, played together on the Rams for several years in the early ‘70s.

Third round, No. 89: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
Wide receiver Zavion Thomas goes through workouts during LSU's pro day on March 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Height, weight: 5-10, 190

Why the Bears drafted him

Thomas adds rare speed to the Bears offense. He ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in February, just shy of this year’s fastest time. He also gives the Bears a valuable weapon in the return game. Thomas scored touchdowns in college on kickoff and punt returns.

Thomas began his college career at Mississippi State, where he played for two seasons before transferring to LSU. Last season he finished second on LSU in receptions (41), receiving yards (488) and receiving touchdowns (four).

He joins a Bears wide receiver group that includes Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker, among others. Thomas will have to compete for playing time on offense, but special teams should be an area in which he can contribute immediately.

“We think he has some special stuff to really make an impact with the new kickoff that we have going on in the NFL, putting us in really good position, in field position and then obviously punt returner as well,” Poles said.

In his words

Thomas gives the Bears versatility. He can line up in any number of spots, including the backfield. He even attempted three passes last season, completing two. Johnson will love that about him when drawing up his trick plays for next season.

“I did everything last year,” Thomas said. “There ain’t nothing you could name that I ain’t do.”

Thomas oozes with energy. It could be felt during his interview Friday night after being drafted and it no doubt makes its way onto the football field with him.

“That’s something I’ve been having in me since I was a kid, since I fell in love with the game,” Thomas said. “I play the game with a different type of aggression, with a different type of mentality. Because at the end of the day, this is my job, this is my life. So I put everything into this game of football.”

Analyst’s take

“Fast kid. He can flat out fly. You talk about a guy who can run on end arounds, reverses, he can do all that. Has experience both returning punts and kickoffs. Had a touchdown on a punt return, returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Good run-after-the-catch ability. … You look at Zavion Thomas, that speed is rare.” — ESPN’s Mel Kiper

From the front office

People in the Bears front office talk about the nervous energy that Johnson exudes when he likes a player. When the coach starts rocking back and forth a little as he’s watching the film, that’s a good thing.

“This guy is going to be a weapon,” Bears assistant director of college scouting Francis St. Paul said. “This is one of the guys that Ben, when he saw the tape, started doing his little rocking, and you could tell he was really excited about him. There’s multiple ways we could get him the ball.”

It’s easy to see why. Poles called it a “fun, fun tape” to watch.

‘’There’s a natural feel, vision and just overall instincts that makes him unique,” Poles said. “And he’s one of those that I’ve watched the tape multiple times. You tell (others) to come in the room and watch this.”

You should know

Thomas is distantly related to Bears legendary running back Walter Payton.

“It’s still a long way, I ain’t gonna lie,” Thomas said.

Poles joked that he would have his people fact check that, but he noted that Thomas clearly has “good genes.”

At the combine, only Mississippi State receiver Brenen Thompson (4.26) and Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. (4.27) ran faster 40-yard dashes than Thomas.

“That was my goal the whole entire time,” Thomas said. “I was telling everybody, my peers, my family, everybody, ‘I’m about to go out there and run a 4.2.’ I don’t know if it’s going to be a 4.21 or a 4.29, but I know it’s going to be somewhere along those lines.”

In the initial moment after his run, he felt like he did enough for a 4.3. Not until he saw a combine staff member react to the scoreboard did he know he accomplished his goal.

Fourth round, No. 124: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad runs a position drill during pro day March 24, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Height, weight: 6-0, 182

Why the Bears drafted him

The Bears needed to shore up their cornerback depth, so they traded up in the fourth round to get to No. 124, giving the Carolina Panthers picks 129 and 144 (fourth overall in the fifth). The Bears also received pick No. 166 (26th in the fifth).

Muhammad gives the Bears a lengthy cover corner who can man up against receivers but also play zone as well. The Longhorns junior finished with 30 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two interceptions and a sack and was named second-team All-SEC.

In his sophomore season, he started all 16 games and had eight passes defended.

The Bears could use some reinforcements on the boundaries. Jaylon Johnson had an injury-plagued season, top turnover-maker Nahshon Wright signed with the New York Jets and Tyrique Stevenson experienced some rough patches.

If there’s a knock on Muhammad, it’s that he’s on the slim side and may be overpowered by bigger, physical receivers. But Bears national scout John Syty said he’s “not at all” concerned.

“You look at Malik, he’s a little bit younger so there still is a frame to grow and continue to develop,” Syty said. “But we’ve got a strong support staff here nutrition-wise, and he’s going to do everything in his power to maximize everything in his body.”

Muhammad said his weight isn’t an issue.

“Well, actually, I’m not slim no more, I’m like 193,” Muhammad told reporters during a video call. “… I was just slim for the combine because I was running, I was track training. But I actually put on weight, and I’m moving well with it, gaining strength off of it also. So I’ll be ready when the time comes.”

In his words

Muhammad ran the eighth-fastest time among cornerbacks in Indianapolis with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, but his 1.51 10-yard split tied for fastest. He suggested naysayers have doubted his speed.

“I feel like I definitely proved people wrong,” he said. “And that wasn’t even the fastest I ran.”

Turning on the jets is one thing. Turning the ball over is another. He hasn’t had much history of that, but he’s coming into a legacy that prides itself on it.

“(Charles) Peanut Tillman was, like, my chaperone at the combine,” Muhammad said. “So we were talking a little bit, he was giving me some tips on how he used to punch the ball out and how he used to prepare for games.”

Muhammad is more a student of “old-school” corners such as Deion Sanders, Charles Woodson and Darrelle Revis, but he is an admirer of one future teammate in his position group.

“In a couple of my interviews, if they were to ask me, like, who were some corners that I watched in the league, I would mention Jaylon Johnson and be like, ‘Yeah, he’s actually nice,’” Muhammad said.

Analyst’s take

“Turn on the Ohio State tape and watch Malik Muhammad compete against Jeremiah Smith. He got right up on him right from the get-go and wasn’t backing down, jamming him at the line of scrimmage, pushing him, being physical with him down the field. He challenged him the entire day. He’s a guy who’s just silky smooth as far as his feet, as far as his hips, his pad level, his ability to transition and close. He’s a shot out of a cannon. …

“He’s going to need to put on a little bit of weight, only about 182 pounds. But I’ll tell you this, if he can get up to about 190 and keep the movement skills and the closing quickness he has, he’s going to play a lot of football in the National Football League, and he’s going to play it as a first-team.” — Louis Riddick, ESPN

From the front office

Syty said Muhammad’s speed and size measure up to the traits the Bears want.

Plus he has “the ability to play man, stick at the top of routes is one of his strengths,” Syty said. “And then continuing with that instincts and zone coverage too is also a strength of this player. So kind of a combo guy that can do a couple different things for us on defense.”

Muhammad said some of his past coaches know Bears defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Al Harris, who’s credited for mining a gem in Wright.

“Al’s a wizard, as you guys have all seen, in that room,” Syty said. “So when Al’s excited to work with someone, it makes it really easy for us in the scouting staff to kind of buy into that. He’s proven that with guys, with what he’s done in the past, and we’re going to continue to do it again.”

Syty relayed a story told by Longhorns safety Michael Taaffe, who’s also a draft prospect in this year’s class, like his Texas teammate.

“Malik gets in there and Mike’s teaching him the defense, and they’re sitting there and Malik looks up at the depth chart on the board next to them and sees Mike’s No. 16 is second on the depth chart,” Syte said. “Malik turns to Mike saying what’s the case with this? And Mike says, ‘Well, listen, I’m young, I’m behind a couple really good vets in this room and my role is special teams.’

“Malik looks at him and says, ‘I guess you don’t really want to play in the NFL then, do you? Why don’t you erase that and put your number up there?’ That’s kind of how this kid’s wired. This kid’s hard-wired to play in the NFL.”

Fifth round, No. 166: Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State
Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott runs a drill during the school's pro day on March 27, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)

Height, weight: 6-1, 231 pounds

Why the Bears drafted him

They need some young players to find their way on special teams. In 2025, the Bears got only 242 snaps on special teams by draft picks, and 120 of those belonged to Ozzy Trapilo and Luke Newman as blockers on field goals/extra points.

Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II was a fourth-round pick and he struggled to see the field, so enter Elliott as immediate competition. He was one of the higher-ranked players the Bears special teams coaches evaluated for the draft, and Elliott ran well at the ASU pro day, clocking in the 40-yard dash at 4.58 seconds. He profiles as a potential reserve on defense but will need to create a niche for himself on special teams to get started.

In his words

“That’s the first thing that I’m going to be doing when I get into the building, meeting with the special teams coordinator and understanding the schematics of it,” Elliott said. “I look at myself and I look at a guy that was able to lead multiple defenses for a multiple amount of years. So going into the league, I know that’s going to be a priority for myself is, walking in and being able to handle special teams, not just for myself, but also the other guys around me. So it’s something I’m super excited about. I think my play as a linebacker is something that translates pretty well to special teams.”

From the front office

“It was rave reviews from everybody when you talk to everybody at the school,” West Coast scout Reese Hicks said. “They love the kid. He was really good in the weight room. He won their iron devil award (three) times (in four semesters), which only goes to one guy a (semester). They go out of their way to provide rave reviews for this kid. When you hear that, you really kind of take notice of it. And in addition to the tape, kind of marry those two together and get a player that you take a shot on.”

You should know

Elliott, a Richmond, Mo., native, started his college career at New Mexico State for two seasons and was second team All-Conference USA as a sophomore. In 2024, he transferred to Arizona State and made 163 tackles over 25 games for the Sun Devils. He was a quarterback in high school and was recognized as an All-State linebacker and All-State punter.

Sixth round, No. 213: Jordan van den Berg, DT, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech's Jordan van den Berg dives at Colorado quarterback Kaiden Salter on Aug. 29, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (Cliff Grassmick/Daily Camera)

Height, weight: 6-3, 310

Why the Bears drafted him

The Bears traded both their seventh-round picks to the Buffalo Bills to move up to pick No. 213 near the end of the sixth round and select the South African defensive tackle. According to Pro Football Reference, there have been only four NFL players from South Africa.

Like Bears third-round pick Sam Roush, van den Berg has a rugby background, playing the sport as a kid in South Africa. He first started playing American football after moving to the Atlanta area at age 10. He later became an All-State linebacker as a senior in high school. He moved to the defensive line while playing at Iowa Western Community College. He then played three seasons at Penn State and two at Georgia Tech.

The fact the Bears traded two picks to move up and grab van den Berg says a lot. He adds a strong, physical tackle to the team’s defensive line rotation. Van den Berg is a weight-room junkie who benched 225 pounds 35 times at his pro day — which would’ve been second-best at the combine had he been invited. He can squat a whopping 675 pounds.

In his words

When he came to America, football was a natural fit for him after playing rugby.

“I’ve always loved the physicality of sport,” van den Berg said. “I used to love playing rugby and wrestling and I’ve always loved the physicality of it. So I started playing football my 10th-grade year. I was a wide receiver, then transitioned over to middle linebacker my junior and senior year.”

Van den Berg said he first got to know the game watching the movie “Invincible” based on the story of Vince Papale trying out for the Philadelphia Eagles. As a kid, he watched the movie “over and over,” he said.

From the front office

Van den Berg had his best season last year with three sacks and 11 tackles for a loss for Georgia Tech.

“(With defensive coordinator Dennis) Allen, our biggest goal going into this week was to get faster or more explosive on defense,” Bears national scout Brendan Rehor said. “And I think this kid kind of fits that, what we want to do. He’s an upfield penetrator. He tested well, some of the short-area stuff. You see this kid get on edges a lot. That was the biggest thing that jumped off to us on tape.”

Van den Berg noted that Georgia Tech defensive line coach Jess Simpson previously worked for the Atlanta Falcons, so Simpson made sure that van den Berg watched plenty of Grady Jarrett tape.

Jarrett, a longtime Falcons tackle, and van den Berg will be teammates on the Bears.

“We used to watch his teach tape all the time,” van den Berg said. “That’s something that I aspire to be like one day. … So I can’t wait to absorb all the information from him.”

You should know

Van den Berg’s grandfather, Francois van den Berg, was a bodybuilder who competed in South Africa’s national championships against Arnold Schwarzenegger. His grandmother, Joan Rocci, was a swimmer who held multiple national records in South Africa.

“I’m fortunate to come from a really athletic background,” van Den Berg said.

Van den Berg is also a small-business owner. He used some of his NIL money at Georgia Tech to buy a laundromat in the Atlanta area.

“My dad has always preached to me that life-changing money is only life-changing money if you put it to use,” van den Berg said. “So the first thing we did, we wanted to look for something that was passive income so I could set up my future, because I plan on playing football until I’m 45. But you never know what can happen in football. So I just want to prepare myself.”

He noted that his laundromat also does wash-and-fold services for local homeless shelters.

[ggersh] It seems like it was only yesterday that he became a Bear. This is one of Pole...

ggersh — 4/22/2026 6:15:02 PM

It seems like it was only yesterday that he
became a Bear.

This is one of Poles best picks if not his best
draft pick

[Investor2] Chicago Bears are picking up right tackle Darnell Wright’s 5th-year option, repo...

Investor2 — 4/21/2026 6:51:04 PM

Chicago Bears are picking up right tackle Darnell Wright’s 5th-year option, report says

Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright heads to the locker room after a 31-28 win over the Steelers on Nov. 23, 2025, at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: April 20, 2026 at 12:51 PM CDT

The Chicago Bears are picking up the fifth-year option in right tackle Darnell Wright’s rookie contract, according to an NFL Network report Monday. That would keep Wright under contract with the Bears through the 2027 season.

The move is not a surprise after Wright was a second-team All-Pro last season. He’s expected to make about $19 million in the option year in 2027.

The Bears had until May 1 to decide whether to pick up the option. This could be a first step toward reaching a deal with Wright on a long-term extension, but in the meantime it keeps him in place as the starting right tackle for at least two more seasons.

All NFL draft picks receive four-year rookie contracts, but teams have the option to add a fifth year to their first-round picks. Teams must decide on the option year after the player’s third season.

The Bears selected Wright with the No. 10 pick in 2023, the first first-round pick made by general manager Ryan Poles. The Bears didn’t have a first-round pick in 2022, Poles’ first draft in charge.

Wright immediately became a fixture on the offensive line. His durability has been notable. The 24-year-old has started 49 games over his first three seasons, missing only two. As a rookie in 2023, he made the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team.

Last year was his first time receiving All-Pro honors. In his first season playing in coach Ben Johnson’s offense, Wright took his game to another level and emerged as one of the league’s best pass-blocking tackles.

While the Bears have spent the past year working through several players at left tackle, Wright’s consistency and durability have made things stress-free on the right side. He and right guard Jonah Jackson thrived playing next to one another last season, and both will return for the 2026 season.

“It was steady through the season,” Poles said in January of Wright’s progress in 2025. “That’s one thing we’ve challenged him is the consistency part. There’s some ups and downs every once in a while, but when he strings it together, it’s really, really good and it’s going to help us win football games. I love watching him come off the ball and move people.”

[Investor2] Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears — after hitting the ‘reset button’ — get ba...

Investor2 — 4/20/2026 9:46:23 PM

Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears — after hitting the ‘reset button’ — get back to work at Halas Hall

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams addresses the media Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: April 20, 2026 at 5:18 PM CDT

Ben Johnson wanted Caleb Williams to get away from football.

That was the Chicago Bears coach’s message to the second-year quarterback in the frigid January days after the loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs.

“He’s done a phenomenal job in terms of staying focused all year long,” Johnson said Jan. 21. “He put in a lot of time, a lot of effort. I thought he grew up as a professional. I thought his communication to the coaching staff grew. I thought his communication to his teammates grew.

“But we will certainly have a number of points of emphasis that he can dive into when he comes back this springtime. It’s important for, really, all of us — coaches, players, support — that we get away for a little bit, that we hit the reset button.”

The Bears have had three months to reset. They returned to work Monday at Halas Hall as veteran players began the voluntary offseason program.

Among the players in the building was Williams, now looking toward his third NFL season and his second with Johnson as his coach.

Williams took Johnson’s January message to heart. What has he been up to for the last three months? He hung out at Bulls and Blackhawks games with Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong. He made a cameo appearance in a music video with rappers Yeat and EsDeeKid. And he was spotted at Coachella alongside the Jenner sisters.

“Trying to stay out of trouble,” Williams joked Monday.

Williams, 24, did his best to enjoy his three months off. But the reality is he doesn’t seem to have ever stopped thinking about football.

Not really.

“I’ve been itching to get back, honestly, since the (Rams) game,” Williams said. “Trying not to text Ben too much.”

Williams said it in January and reiterated it Monday: When he was driving home from Soldier Field after the loss to the Rams, it didn’t feel real. After a wild ride that saw the Bears win their first NFC North title since 2018 and their first playoff game in 15 years, the finality of that loss was hard to come to grips with.

“It was one of the harder years, I’d say, to step away for a little bit,” Williams said. “And so I think I found a little path in there at some point, but it took me a little bit to get over the season.”

As of Monday, all systems are go. The offseason program — and Year 2 under Johnson — is underway. The NFL draft begins Thursday, and the Bears will add their rookie class to the mix soon.

In terms of on-field work, the first phase of the offseason program is limited to strength and conditioning activities. The workload will ramp up in the coming weeks.

A year ago, Williams made it clear he wanted to be coached hard. He didn’t want Johnson to hold anything back, and the first-year coach definitely didn’t go easy on his quarterback.

Now Williams wants Johnson to keep his foot on the gas. He said Johnson told him during their exit meeting in January that he planned to push Williams even more.

Williams was all for it.

“I have a goal, he has a goal and they align with each other,” Williams said. “It’s making sure that we get to that end (goal). And so he’s going to push me, I’m going to push myself, I’m going to push my teammates, he’ll push my teammates.”

Tight end Cole Kmet said Williams’ improvement over the course of last season in terms of managing the offense, communicating in the huddle and making pre-snap calls at the line of scrimmage was night and day from the quarterback’s rookie season in 2024.

“All those pre-snap things that maybe (the media) or fans don’t view as the sexy thing,” Kmet said. “Like, those are the things that he got really, really good throughout the course of the season. And it really helps everybody, all 10 other guys.”

The Bears are in a good place to hit the ground running this spring. The returning players already know what Johnson expects from the offense. There will be tweaks and new wrinkles, but the Bears aren’t in a position like they were a year ago, when they had to learn everything from scratch.

That’s especially important for the play caller and quarterback. Johnson and Williams spent all of last year learning to think alike. The hope is Year 2 will take things to another level.

“It was good for me to be able to see, to be able to feel, to be able to go out there and win games — but that wasn’t my goal,” Williams said. “That’s not where I want to be. I want to be the best. I want to go win. I want to be, as we call it, a world champion. A Super Bowl champion.”

The Super Bowl is a long way off, but the work starts now.

[Investor2] 2026 NFL draft: 12 prospects the Chicago Bears might consider with the No. 25 pi...

Investor2 — 4/19/2026 10:24:33 PM

2026 NFL draft: 12 prospects the Chicago Bears might consider with the No. 25 pick

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune and Phil Thompson | plthompson@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: April 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM CDT

The work is largely done. Now it’s time to see what shakes out.

The Chicago Bears have spent months preparing their board for Thursday night’s first round of the NFL draft. Scouts have crisscrossed the country assessing the top talent coming out of college. At this late stage, general manager Ryan Poles is spending more time playing out different draft scenarios than assessing the players on his list.

Related Articles

With the Bears picking toward the end of the first round — No. 25 — for the first time in years, those scenarios are numerous. Since taking over as GM in 2022, Poles has held firmly to his draft board. That was coach Ben Johnson’s biggest takeaway from their first draft together a year ago.

“He stayed as disciplined as I’ve ever seen in terms of staying true to how we set it up,” Johnson said then.

Top positions of need for the Bears include defensive end, safety, defensive tackle and offensive tackle. At No. 25, they’re in a good position to land a player at one of those spots, but it will depend upon how the board falls in front of them.

“I do believe — especially in the early rounds — you’ve really got to stick to best player available,” Poles said at the NFL scouting combine in February.

The Bears haven’t selected this low in the first round since taking Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi with the 29th pick in 2011. The last time they selected a player anywhere in the 20s was when they drafted Oregon offensive lineman Kyle Long with the 20th pick in 2013. The Bears held the 20th pick heading into draft night in 2021 but traded up to select quarterback Justin Fields at No. 11.

All four of Poles’ previous first-round picks were in the top 10. At No. 25, it’s a little bit harder to predict who will be available.

We’re going to try anyway. Here are 12 players, in alphabetical order, the Bears might consider selecting when their spot comes up.

1. Caleb Banks, Florida defensive tackle

Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks sacks LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier on Nov. 16, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 327 pounds

Why the Bears will draft him: He certainly measures up to the ideal profile. He has 35-inch arms and 10 7/8-inch hands. His athleticism score ranked fifth among defensive tackle prospects at the combine, according to NFL Pro’s Next Gen Stats. Banks has the burst and physical tools (particularly with his hands) to shock interior linemen. And the Bears could use some inside punch. Last season, Gervon Dexter Sr. had the 10th-worst get-off (1.13 seconds) and fellow starter Grady Jarrett had the 10th-worst quarterback pressure rate (5.3%) among defensive line qualifiers, according to Next Gen Stats.

Why they won’t: Draft pundits seem to be divided on Banks. He’s projected to go as high as No. 14 in one mock draft, while several experts don’t even have him listed in the first round. The injury history is also concerning. Banks broke a metatarsal in his left foot while working out for the combine — though he still ran the 40-yard dash in 5.04 seconds — and had surgery March 9. He was limited to three games last season because of prior left foot injuries and had surgery during the season. Also, Banks’ high center of gravity may work against him in leverage against the run.

Analyst’s take: “He would be the third of (the defensive tackles) off the board. He’s a pretty big guy, he can get at a quarterback despite his size. I haven’t heard as much buzz about him and I have him going early second round. … This defensive tackle class just isn’t very exciting. If the Bears take one at 25, there’s a chance that could be the first one off the board.” — Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball

2. Keldric Faulk, Auburn edge rusher
Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk plays against Arkansas on Oct. 25, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Height, weight: 6-6, 276

Why the Bears will draft him: Faulk is one of the biggest edge rushers in this draft and has 34 3/8-inch arms. The Alabama native started eight games as a true freshman in 2023, earning SEC All-Freshman honors, then had his breakout season as a sophomore, when he totaled seven sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. From a statistical standpoint, his junior season was somewhat disappointing — only two sacks and five TFLs in 12 games. He still garnered third-team All-SEC honors and was a team captain. Faulk doesn’t turn 21 until September, so there’s time for a team to mold him how it sees fit. His size would allow him to shift inside from time to time.

Why they won’t: Faulk headed into last season with lofty expectations and was widely seen as one of the top draft prospects. After the statistical drop-off in 2025, his draft projection is somewhat over the place. It remains possible he could hear his name during the first half of the first round, or it’s possible he’ll remain on the board a while longer. Whichever team drafts him is betting on him being the player he showed flashes of in 2024. He has the physical tools to be a really good NFL defensive lineman but has to put it all together more consistently. Some teams could look at his frame and see a defensive tackle, not an edge rusher.

Analyst’s take: “The decision is where are you going to get the most impact from him as a rusher. To me, I like his impact more winning with his quickness inside versus winning with his power outside. Look, the numbers are the numbers. He’s not had a good, productive score (last season). You look at the pressure rate, win rate, to go along with sack production, it hasn’t been great, but I think if you let him spend a lot of time in there (matched up with) guards and continue to work with him, he’s young, still developing. … I could see him being a more impactful player spending more pass-rushing downs inside than outside, but some teams are going to see that differently.” — Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network

3. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M edge rusher
Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell rushes Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon on Nov. 22, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

Height, weight: 6-2, 253

Why the Bears will draft him: Howell finished last season with 11½ sacks and 0.88 per game, tied for eighth in the FBS. He also had 14 tackles for a loss and was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards as the nation’s top defensive player. Howell ran the fifth-fastest time among defensive ends at the combine (4.59) and has a reputation as a high-motor, aggressive player. As Howell put it during the combine, “I try to play with as much violence (but) as controlled as I possibly can.” The Bears certainly could use more ferocity from their defensive front. According to Next Gen Stats, they had the sixth-worst pressure rate (31.6%) and worst time to pressure (2.90 seconds).

Why they won’t: His arm length (30 1/4 inches) could be an issue, and his hands (9 1/4) are a bit small for his position. Howell’s overall measurables tip toward “undersized,” and the Bears have seen how that limits Austin Booker, another high-motor rusher. Some draft watchers believe there’s at least second-round depth for defensive linemen, so the Bears could take a chance that Howell or an edge with a similar grade could fall to them in the second round (or make sure of it by packaging the 57th and 60th picks in a trade up).

Analyst’s take: “Cashius Howell is another guy with very short arms, but he’s so explosive as a player, so I wouldn’t mind that too much. I don’t know if he’s going to go in the first round, I think he has a shot. I have mocked him to the Bears at 25 in the past, but I have moved him down a little bit here and there. … I don’t think the arm length is going to prevent him from being a good player, just because he has everything else.” — Cherepinsky

4. Caleb Lomu, Utah offensive tackleUtah offensive lineman
Caleb Lomu blocks during the first half against Baylor on Nov. 15, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Height, weight: 6-6, 313

Why the Bears will draft him: Lomu emerged as a two-year starter at left tackle for Utah, including a first-team All-Big 12 effort last season. He has all the tools that teams look for in an offensive tackle, although he’s still relatively inexperienced. Lomu shows an ability to pass block at a high level, while his run blocking has room to improve. Scouting experts seem to agree that Lomu needs to get stronger, but he has the frame to add muscle. His frame, in fact, is quite similar to those of Ozzy Trapilo (6-8, 316) and Theo Benedet (6-7, 304) — both taller and somewhat lean, by NFL lineman standards — so perhaps Lomu fits the mold of what Ryan Poles is looking for. Lomu is widely projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick. His Utah teammate Spencer Fano likely will go off the board first, but it was Lomu’s emergence that prompted the Utes to move Fano from left tackle to right tackle, his favored position.

Why they won’t: Is he a sure-fire starter at left tackle in the NFL? That’s up in the air. Lomu is light on experience, playing just two college seasons after redshirting his freshman year in 2023. If the Bears draft a tackle in the first round, it likely would be someone they feel confident can start at left tackle right away. Has Lomu proved he could do that? The same point about his frame being similar to Trapilo’s and Benedet’s also could be an argument against drafting him. Do the Bears need three such players? With several options on the roster at left tackle, perhaps that isn’t as big a need for the Bears as some would suggest. Drafting a tackle might create a conundrum down the line when Trapilo returns from his knee injury.

Analyst’s take: “Lomu’s got to get bigger and stronger, but he’s got good feet, he’s got really good athleticism and balance and pass pro. He’s a second-rounder that’s going to play. I think that’s going to be a really nice late first, early second-round pick for somebody.” — Mel Kiper, ESPN

5. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State defensive tackle
Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald celebrates after recovering a fumble against Illinois on Oct. 11, 2025, in Champaign. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Height, weight: 6-2, 326

Why the Bears will draft him: McDonald may be the best run stuffer in this draft. For a Bears defense that ranked 27th against the run with 134.5 yards allowed per game, someone who can plug the middle is much needed. Andrew Billings previously served in that role, but the veteran signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. McDonald was an All-American in 2025 after coming off the bench for the 2024 national champion Buckeyes. He totaled nine tackles for a loss and three sacks in 14 games last season, while forcing two fumbles and recovering one. With just one year of starting experience, he probably won’t be an every-down player as a rookie. But he projects as someone who can plug run gaps on early downs.

Why they won’t: Right now, McDonald doesn’t provide much as a pass rusher. For a team looking for a defensive tackle who can play all three downs, that probably isn’t McDonald yet, although it could be in the future. There are several run-stuffing prospects available in this draft, so the Bears might feel optimistic they can find one later in the draft. While defensive tackle is a need, it’s generally not considered a premium position in the first round. That might gear them more toward an edge rusher if they go for a defensive lineman at No. 25. Then again, the Bears didn’t mind taking a tight end with the No. 10 pick a year ago, so maybe positional value doesn’t matter if the fit is right.

Analyst’s take: “That immovable mountain at defensive tackle would be so impressive to have there, from a stopping-the-run, freeing-up-the-linebackers (standpoint). To me Kayden McDonald would have to be at least within the discussion (for the Bears at No. 25).” — Kiper

6. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo safety
Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren pursues a play against Akron on Sept. 27, 2025, in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Height, weight: 6-3, 201

Why the Bears will draft him: The Bears added Coby Bryant in free agency, but they still need another starter at safety and probably want someone who plays with physicality. As the free safety, Bryant is more of a center fielder. McNeil-Warren has great size for the position, he isn’t afraid to match up with tight ends and he forced nine fumbles in four seasons at Toledo. He has arguably the best “Peanut Punch” of anybody in this draft. While some fans might balk at drafting a safety from the Mid-American Conference in the first round, Toledo’s defense has produced five draft picks over the last four years — including All-Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, a first-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. The Bears have speed in the secondary, but they could use an enforcer who isn’t afraid to play in the middle of the field.

Why they won’t: There’s a chance McNeil-Warren will be gone before No. 25, although of the top three safeties (including Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman), he may be the likeliest to still be available. Regardless, teams often can find starting-caliber safeties on Day 2 of the draft. The Bears have found starters such as Eddie Jackson and Adrian Amos on Day 3. Perhaps they will focus on the trenches in the first round and look for a safety with one of their three Day 2 picks.

Analyst’s take: “I like (him) a lot. Have throughout the process. Highlighted him back as far as September when he played against Kentucky and had a big, big game. Just a guy who just has a knack. I mean, he causes fumbles, he’s got great range — just a heck of a player. Somebody’s going to get him in the late first, even maybe a little higher.” — Kiper

7. Akheem Mesidor, Miami edge rusher
Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor rushes the passer against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Height, weight: 6-3, 259

Why the Bears will draft him: You can’t argue with the production. He tied for third in the FBS with 12½ sacks, 10 of them solo. Mesidor stepped up on the biggest stage with two sacks during the national championship loss to Indiana. He was trained in pass-rushing techniques by Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, now the Hurricanes defensive ends coach. Mesidor’s maturity, versatility and repertoire of moves would give him a head start toward contributing with the Bears in a playoff window.

Why they won’t: If his age (25) is a red flag to some general managers, his injury history might be a five-alarm fire. He has had multiple surgeries, including on a shoulder and both feet. To be fair, his last major injury was in 2023. He had minor arm and foot injuries last season. According to Next Gen Stats, Mesidor had elite production in college but has average athleticism compared with historical combine data. His size is just so-so relative to today’s NFL defensive ends.

Analyst’s take: “He’s a polished, productive pass rusher with a deep arsenal of moves, change-of-direction quickness, violent hands and a relentless motor. There are some age and durability concerns. … From what I’ve heard, most teams view his durability risk as moderate.” — Todd McShay, The Ringer

8. Blake Miller, Clemson offensive tackle
Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller prepares to block LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn on Aug. 30, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Height, weight: 6-6, 317

Why the Bears will draft him: The man from Strongsville, Ohio, had the third-most bench-press reps (32) at the combine, though some draft watchers say his play strength could be better and more consistent. But talk about a workhorse — Miller started every game in four seasons at Clemson, and his 3,778 offensive snaps set a school record. The Bears could use that kind of durability in front of quarterback Caleb Williams. Center Drew Dalman’s retirement was a surprise, tackle Ozzy Trapilo likely will miss most of next season with a knee injury and the depth is a little shaky. Miller has burst and a quick first step, so he might hold up physically in a starting role while he catches up on the finer points, much like Trapilo did as a rookie last season.

Why they won’t: Miller possibly could play guard, but he’s primarily a right tackle, and the Bears are set there with Darnell Wright. He was a four-year starter at left tackle in high school and played 73 snaps on the left side during a game against Virginia Tech in his junior season to fill in for an injured teammate. But the Bears won’t spend such early draft capital for a “maybe” at left tackle. And as mentioned, there are concerns about Miller’s play strength, particularly his ability to anchor against power rushers. Last year, Trapilo took until midseason to take over the starting job, so there likely would be growing pains plugging in another rookie there.

Analyst’s take: “The one guy that was kind of a steadying force there (at Clemson) was Blake Miller. And then, of course, he looks the part, too, from an athletic standpoint with the arm length. He looks like the ideal right tackle. He had a lot of starts. He showed up every week to do a job, professional. … Blake Miller helped himself a lot based on the way he played.” — Kiper

9. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama offensive tackle
Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor blocks against Florida State defensive lineman Mandrell Desir on Aug. 30, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Height, weight: 6-7, 352

Why the Bears will draft him: A three-year starter at left tackle for Alabama, Proctor was a second-team AP All-American in 2025. His rare size and strength made the Iowa native one of the nation’s top-rated recruits in 2023 as part of Nick Saban’s final recruiting class at Alabama. Proctor briefly left to transfer to Iowa when Saban retired, but he returned to Alabama a few months later. He could be a day-one starter at left tackle, something the Bears have to seriously consider if he’s available at No. 25. Alabama trusted Proctor’s ball skills enough to give him five carries, something Ben Johnson would love. After playing as a true freshman in 2023 and leaving college after three years, Proctor is only 20 years old.

Why they won’t: There’s at least some question about whether left tackle is the right position for Proctor in the NFL. It’s also possible he comes off the board before the Bears have a chance to select him. Last year three offensive tackles were gone by the time the Bears picked at No. 10. It remains a premium position, and Proctor is such a unique athlete and body type that another team very well could get to him first. He played exclusively left tackle in college, so there likely would be a learning curve at right tackle or guard if a team wanted to move him.

Analyst’s take: “A day-one starter? Proctor certainly could (be). Is he going to be a capable left tackle, right tackle or is he a guard? That’s the debate with Proctor. Can he hold up at left tackle, where at Alabama this past year he had some moments? That Florida State game was a rough game for him. He had really good moments there after, a couple hiccups along the way, but the talent indicates he can be a great guard in the NFL.” — Kiper

10. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon safety
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman plays against Rutgers on Oct. 18, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Height, weight: 6-0, 201

Why the Bears will draft him: They have critical needs along the defensive line, but a case can be made the need is just as dire at safety, where they’ll have two new starters. Thieneman can play free or strong safety, and if he can live up to his most common comp — Minnesota Vikings great Harrison Smith — how could you pass that up? Thieneman may not be as big a hitter as Smith, but he brings similar instincts and attributes. He ran the 40 in 4.35 seconds at the combine, fourth-fastest among safeties, and Poles has made it his mission to add speed across the board. If Poles sticks to “best available,” as he commonly preaches, Thieneman might be the best talent still on the board at No. 25.

Why they won’t: The aforementioned defensive line. The Bears ranked 28th in passing yards allowed per play (7.25), and though the fault is shared among defensive groups, it starts up front. Safety may be a bit of a luxury pick when you have clear needs elsewhere, so Thieneman would have to be close to a sure-fire Pro Bowl talent to warrant the investment. He has the speed the Bears covet but likely won’t be the big thumper in the run game that Jaquan Brisker was. And the prospect of drafting a successor to Smith — who might be retiring — could be too tempting for the Vikings at No. 18, so Thieneman might not be available for the Bears.

Analyst’s take: “You go back to Purdue, when he was there as a true freshman, playing in the dead middle of the field, making interceptions outside the numbers, with that type of range. And now you get to Oregon, he can cover in the slot, can be a legit nickel and mirror and match smaller, quicker guys. Another guy who trusts his eyes, flat-footed reads, great angles, excellent tackler.” — Jeremiah

11. Peter Woods, Clemson defensive tackle
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods plays against Syracuse on Sept. 20, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Height, weight: 6-2, 298

Why the Bears will draft him: If Kayden McDonald isn’t the top defensive tackle on draft boards, it’s mostly like Woods. He’s a versatile, all-around defender whose compact frame helps him hold up against the run. Yes, the Bears need more push against the pass, but their numbers against the run were almost as ugly: fourth-worst in rushing yards allowed per play (5.0) and inside rush percentage (41.1%) and seventh-worst in stuff rate (14%).

Why they won’t: Though run defense is one of Woods’ better traits, he may be a notch below McDonald in that category. Woods is twitchy, but that didn’t translate into an explosion in production that a lot of observers were expecting to see last season. He had 30 tackles, 3½ tackles for a loss and two sacks as a junior — one fewer sack than in his sophomore year. Woods explained at the combine that in 2024, “I had a lot more versatility within the scheme,” and that he was surrounded by more talent last season. He also has been dogged by questions about whether his arms are too short (31 1/4 inches). If Woods isn’t lights-out better than McDonald as a pass rusher, just projected to be better, is that enough to take him over the better run stuffer?

Analyst’s take: “The valuations of these guys (defensive tackles) are just all over the place. Peter Woods is someone who also didn’t live up to the billing, but he has a lot of upside and he could definitely be a great player in the pros. But then again, I think he has a higher bust rate than the usual prospects. … If the Bears are taking him at 25, I’d rather spend a pick on Peter Woods than some other guy with a lower ceiling. I do like him for the upside, but I do recognize the floor there.” — Cherepinsky

12. Zion Young, Missouri edge rusher
Missouri defensive end Zion Young forces a fumble by Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels on Sept. 6, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Height, weight: 6-6, 262

Why the Bears will draft him: Young has ideal size and length as an edge rusher. The Atlanta native totaled 11½ sacks and 28½ tackles for a loss over 46 games at Michigan State and Missouri. He really came into his own as a senior at Missouri last season, finishing second in the SEC with 16½ TFLs and also recording 6½ sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defended. He was named a team captain and earned second-team All-SEC honors. Young is a handful for offensive tackles to deal with, particularly his bull rush. He can set the edge against the run and wouldn’t be a liability in that area. While last season was the first time he had more than three sacks, Young has the size and athleticism to develop into a high-level pass rusher.

Why they won’t: The Bears don’t typically draft players who could become distractions off the field. Poles notably passed on Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter in 2023. He’s not afraid to pass on a talented player if he has concerns. Young was arrested in December in Missouri and charged with driving while intoxicated. The case is ongoing, according to Boone County, Mo., records. Additionally, while at Michigan State, Young was one of seven Spartans players suspended for four games in 2022 and charged with assault after a postgame altercation with Michigan players. Young took a plea deal in August 2023 and received probation.

Analyst’s take: “Zion Young had two years at Michigan State, and at Missouri, he really produced. He’s not only an edge rusher, a force off the edge, he can be a major factor against the run sealing the edge as well. He’s an imposing physical specimen. He plays hard. He’s determined. A little stiff, but at the end of the day, with the strong hands, the lateral quickness — the way he chases down the line and crashes down the line — it’s really impressive to see. He does not quit on a play. He doesn’t take plays off.” — Kiper

Others on the radar:

Max Iheanachor, Arizona State offensive tackle
Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida edge rusher
Christen Miller, Georgia defensive tackle
T.J. Parker, Clemson edge rusher
R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma edge rusher

[Investor2] Who analysts think Bears will draft at No. 25 Apr 09, 2026 at 02:19 PM [graphic...

Investor2 — 4/10/2026 8:07:07 PM

Who analysts think Bears will draft at No. 25
Apr 09, 2026 at 02:19 PM

Larry Mayer
Senior Writer

With the NFL Draft just two weeks away, we reviewed recently updated mock drafts to see who pro football analysts are projecting the Bears will select with the 25th pick in the first round.

JP Acosta, CBS Sports (April 7)
Pick: Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald
Comment: With no true nose tackle on the roster, they need someone who can eat space and allow Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. to shoot gaps and get up field. Insert McDonald, a ready-made run defender who stacks and sheds as well as anyone in this class.

Charles Davis, NFL.com (March 26)
Pick: Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods
Comment: Woods fills a need for the Bears, providing more pressure from the interior.

Nate Davis, USA Today (April 6)
Pick: Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment: Need a Monster of the Midway? How about a 6-foot-4, 200-pound DB with a penchant for big hits and finding the ball? And it certainly seems like the Bears could use one with All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker leaving the back line during free agency. McNeil-Warren and recently signed Coby Bryant could equate to a nice recovery plan.

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (April 9)
Pick: Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods
Comment: Peter Woods was once regarded as a potential top-five overall selection. Although I never saw him as a clear and obvious blue-chip talent, this is good value for the Clemson product and fills a need for the Bears. Chicago has bodies at the position, but no one really moves the needle in the way Woods could.

Tyler Erzberger, Newsweek (April 8)
Pick: Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be the change they need.

Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News (April 9)
Pick: Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker at No. 31 via trade with Patriots
Comment: The Bears can go with several positions, including offensive line and safety, but pass rush opposite Montez Sweat is also important to address. Parker is an ideal Cameron Jordan-like addition for Dennis Allen's defense.

Rhett Lewis, NFL.com (April 7)
Pick: Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker
Comment: Parker had a down year in terms of production in 2025, but the lengthy Clemson edge rusher showed flashes of brilliance early in his collegiate career and again at the Senior Bowl. He gives the Bears a nice option opposite Montez Sweat.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (April 7)
Pick: Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller
Comment: Miller has the tools to step in and play right away. They could also consider defensive tackle here.

Mike Renner, CBS Sports (April 7)
Pick: Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor
Comment: Akheem Mesidor can make an immediate impact. He can rush from both the edge and the interior, given his experience doing both in college.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (April 3)
Pick: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 26 via trade with Bills
Comment: General manager Ryan Poles should be happy to regain his fifth-round pick from Buffalo while moving down just one spot. The move ensures he can land the athletic Thieneman, who'll join Coby Bryant in replacing departed starting safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard.

Nick Shook, NFL.com (April 2)
Pick: Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor
Comment: The run on tackles continues at No. 25, where the Bears show they understand protecting Caleb Williams is priority No. 1. With Ozzy Trapilo returning from a patellar injury, it would be prudent for the Bears to invest in the position with Proctor, a massive, athletic tackle with the build to keep Williams' jersey clean.

Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated (April 9)
Pick: Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk at No. 15 via trade with Buccaneers
Comment: The Bears are a Super Bowl contender for the first time in nearly two decades, so making a move up the board is reasonable. After trading away one of two second-round picks, Chicago nabs Faulk to beef up its defensive line. Faulk can play inside or out, pairing nicely with edge rusher Montez Sweat. At Auburn, the 285-pounder had 19.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks across three years, showcasing traits that could turn him into an elite, well-rounded defender.

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (April 7)
Pick: Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks
Comment: If Banks is healthy, he could be a top-10 pick. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds with 35-inch arms, he can take over games. The problem has been his inability to consistently stay on the field. If he's cleared medically, Banks is a first-rounder all day long. If teams have questions, he could slip to Day 2 like Jer'Zhan Newton did a few years ago.

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (March 31)
Pick: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman
Comment: Thieneman offers Dennis Allen's defense an instinctive safety with explosive athleticism and the versatility to help disguise coverages and change the picture post-snap for the quarterback.

[ggersh] This should've been done before the trade deadline The Reinsdorf's are worse th...

ggersh — 4/7/2026 6:52:34 PM

This should've been done before the trade deadline

The Reinsdorf's are worse than the McCaskeys if that's
even possible

[Investor2] Chicago Bulls clean house in the front office, firing VP Arturas Karnišovas and ...

Investor2 — 4/6/2026 3:15:39 PM

Chicago Bulls clean house in the front office, firing VP Arturas Karnišovas and GM Marc Eversley

Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnišovas answers questions at a news conference during media day at the United Center on Sept. 29, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

By Julia Poe | jpoe@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: April 6, 2026 at 1:53 PM CDT

The Chicago Bulls fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnišovas and general manager Marc Eversley, the team announced Monday.

The Bulls missed the playoffs in five of the six seasons with Karnišovas and Eversley at the helm. They’re currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 29-49 record after trading away the bulk of the roster at the deadline.

“I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand your frustration,” Bulls President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. “I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed to getting this right.

“At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud.”

[ggersh] I'm hoping that we the people don't have to pay for it and it isn't in Indiana!

ggersh — 4/1/2026 3:02:52 PM

[Investor2] Ben Johnson on Bears’ year 2: “We’re going to coach this at a much higher level”...

Investor2 — 3/31/2026 11:01:02 PM

Ben Johnson on Bears’ year 2: “We’re going to coach this at a much higher level” | FULL INTERVIEW

[Investor2] Bears GM Ryan Poles: 'No complacency' after playoff breakthrough | FULL INTERVIE...

Investor2 — 3/31/2026 10:59:29 PM

Bears GM Ryan Poles: 'No complacency' after playoff breakthrough | FULL INTERVIEW

[Investor2] Kevin Warren: Bears in a ‘fantastic position’ with stadium project | Pro Footbal...

Investor2 — 3/31/2026 10:57:18 PM

Kevin Warren: Bears in a ‘fantastic position’ with stadium project | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC

[Investor2] Jack Sanborn is back! [youtube video]

Investor2 — 3/18/2026 6:39:10 PM

[ggersh] It makes one wonder what exactly is going on?

ggersh — 3/18/2026 6:13:57 PM

[Investor2] New Chicago Bears addition Coby Bryant ‘just scratching the surface’ as an NFL s...

Investor2 — 3/15/2026 10:54:15 PM

New Chicago Bears addition Coby Bryant ‘just scratching the surface’ as an NFL safety

New Bears safety Coby Bryant speaks at Halas Hall on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

By Sean Hammond | shammond@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: March 14, 2026 at 6:00 AM CDT

Ryan Poles knew he got a good one.

Not because of what he saw on tape — although that told the same story. No, this was because of the texts and phone calls that flooded in after the Bears signed former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant.

“Anytime you bring a player in and your phones go off — coaches, front office — on how pissed off Seattle was not having him back and how fortunate we are to have a guy like this in our building, that’s what you want to hear and that’s exactly what happened,” Poles said. “So we’re fired up.”

The Bears signed Bryant to a three-year, $40 million contract this week, making him one of the highlights in a free-agent class that Poles hopes significantly improves the team’s speed on defense.

Bryant spent his first four NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and is fresh off winning Super Bowl LX. He brings a winning pedigree to Chicago, which is good because he has big shoes to fill.

The Bears signed Bryant as veteran safety Kevin Byard III — who led the NFL with seven interceptions last season — exits. Byard signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the New England Patriots. He reunites with Mike Vrabel, a coach he played for when he was with the Tennessee Titans.

Byard, 32, not only led the NFL in interceptions last season, but he was also a team captain and a key voice in the locker room. Losing him will hurt the Bears on the field and off.

“That’s what makes this part of the year difficult,” Poles said when asked of Byard. “You have certain plans with the guys you’d like to have back. And you’re kind of seeing how the landscape is going to set up.

“And as you do your research, when we watched Coby’s tape, he was a guy who got us excited because we felt like he played our style of ball. He played fast. He played physical. Those are the things that (defensive coordinator Dennis Allen) is looking for, that we’re looking for.”

The Bears are betting on Bryant, who turns 27 on March 29, being a staple in their secondary for the next several years. The Cleveland native — who was named after late NBA star Kobe Bryant — played cornerback at Cincinnati before the Seahawks drafted him with a fourth-round pick in 2022. He was fresh off winning the Jim Thorpe Award in 2021 as college football’s top defensive back.

Seahawks safety Coby Bryant breaks up a pass intended for Patriots tight end Hunter Henry during Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bryant played the nickel cornerback spot in 2023, but a toe injury limited him to nine games. The following offseason, the Seahawks replaced coach Pete Carroll with up-and-coming defensive guru Mike Macdonald. The new coaching staff transitioned Bryant to safety.

“The biggest thing was communication, the open-field tackling,” Bryant said of the position change. “That’s something I can always continue to get better on too. It was a big challenge, but I knew I could do it and it set my career up to be how it is and continues to get better.”

Over two seasons as a safety in Macdonald’s system, Bryant appeared in 32 regular-season games and totaled seven interceptions. He became an integral part of what would become one of the best defenses in the NFL, a defense that would carry the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title.

In a sense, Bryant said he feels like he’s still learning the safety position. He has played only two seasons as a safety.

“I’m just scratching the surface,” Bryant said. “It’s only year two of playing safety. I’m still young. … But definitely, I’m excited to be here.”

It has been a near-complete overhaul of the safety position for the Bears. In addition to Byard, starter Jaquan Brisker and backup Jonathan Owens have signed elsewhere in free agency — Brisker with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Owens with the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears re-signed backup Elijah Hicks, who is also a special teams contributor.

The safety position is going to look quite different in 2026. The Bears also signed defensive back Cam Lewis, who can play multiple positions. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them target a safety with one of their top picks in the NFL draft next month either.

But Bryant is going to be the centerpiece for the safety position, and he adds the speed Poles was looking for.

“He plays fast,” Poles said. “Instincts jump off the tape. His ability to anticipate. We’re looking for guys that are passionate about ball. You can see that in his body language and how he moves.”