My hope and theory is the Bears have something in place to address an upgrade at Edge, but it won't come until after June 1st, whether that is with a free agent or thru a trade.

That is my only hope, otherwise this feels like a very weak offseason where they side-graded because of the losses at C and S.

So the additions of Bradury and Jones are a wash with Dalman. Bryant and Thieneman are an upgrade at Safety, but if the DLine can't stop the run or rush the passer, how effective will the secondary even be?

Then on offense, you traded your WR1 in hopes that your other guys will elevate, but ultimately all the other moves were rotational or backup in nature. So technically, the offense is worse on paper going into 2026 and you still have questions at LT.

It’s fair I guess if you wanted edge in the first (though I would prefer Thieneman over any of the edges available) and there’s maybe an argument they should have traded up in the second, but by the time they got to the Bears pick int the second, I’m not exactly crestfallen we didn’t get any of the remaining edges. Maybe you could make an argument for DDS (we’ll see how he fares in Green Bay), but keep in mind that pretty much no edge taken between rounds 3 and 7 last year had more than three sacks (and that was Josiah Stewart who was more of a LB). so expecting some great impact from a rookie edge is pretty unlikely.

StatMuse

Rookie Sacks Leaders 2025 | StatMuse

James Pearce Jr. had the most sacks by a rookie in 2025, with 10.5 sacks.

and a guy like Ndame Tucker, who led college football with 14.5 sacks last year, goes undrafted.

I dont understand it either.

The only thing I can guess, is that they expect Booker to ascend and think that Turner is a better draft pick than anyone that was available this year. Still, theres got to be another move coming, doesnt there?

Maybe they want to give their young guys a chance to gain experience, and then depending on where we are we trade for an Edge at the trade deadline, if we are in the playoff hunt, or wait for next year.

But damn. If this team had a pass rush, we'd be Superbowl contenders. WTF.

I would not rule out Cam Jordan joining this team. A trade for Kayvon Thibedeaux wouldn't totally surprise me either but his production has been horrible the last two seasons. They've been trying to dump him off on another team for a year now with no takers, which is telling. Among those two I'd strongly prefer Cam Jordan for a year. Having him mentor Booker and Turner (if he's still a DE) would be beneficial too. I'd feel good with that 4-man rotation.

19 hours ago, adam said:

Then on offense, you traded your WR1 in hopes that your other guys will elevate, but ultimately all the other moves were rotational or backup in nature. So technically, the offense is worse on paper going into 2026 and you still have questions at LT.

we traded moore, if not a #1 receiver then certainly a #2, who can not only make spectacular catches but is tough as nails for a third string tight end. if anyone believes that is a good trade i have a swamp i would like to sell.

I liked DJ Moore a lot but with Rome and Burden now on the roster and expected to take the next step that is just the progression of football. They have Walker that everyone liked and brought in Raymond. Now they drafted Thomas. BJ wanted more speed and they got it, I take that as a positive and cant wait to see BJ used these weapons. Roush will take Smythes place that had 25% of the snaps. Roush adds to the run game with his blocking, the main reason he was drafted.

Everyone is ignoring Dayo and Turner making a contribution this year. I think they will bring in another DE (Cam Jordan) would be a good pickup. They expect a better pass rush threw growth( Jarrett healthy, Booker) along with injured players being back. Add in Van Der Berg and a DE vet and they have upgraded last years DL. IMO

We are all use to being the defensive minded Chicago Bears but we are now the BJ offense team and they are trying to have an adequate defense. Im okay with that.

11 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Everyone is ignoring Dayo and Turner making a contribution this year.

Nobody is ignoring Turner. He should help, especially at 3T. Not so much on the EDGE. Dayo is simply an afterthought. He wasn't any good before he got hurt. How's he supposed to look after? I have my thoughts and they aren't good.

24 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Nobody is ignoring Turner. He should help, especially at 3T. Not so much on the EDGE. Dayo is simply an afterthought. He wasn't any good before he got hurt. How's he supposed to look after? I have my thoughts and they aren't good.

I see what you saw but the bears arent ignoring him by there draft dictated. Poles has hits and misses but as long as he is on the roster , Im all in on having hope. Also DA was in on drafting Turner and bringing in Dayo, they are both scheme fits for what he wants. I heard Wannsted on the radio this morning and he said that this defense will be better overall because they brought in more players overall. More speed in all spots on the defense.

16 hours ago, Lucky Luciano said:

we traded moore, if not a #1 receiver then certainly a #2, who can not only make spectacular catches but is tough as nails for a third string tight end. if anyone believes that is a good trade i have a swamp i would like to sell.

If he Keeps Caleb upright and the offense scores more points than last year I’ll buy your swamp. 🙂

7 hours ago, AZ54 said:

If he Keeps Caleb upright and the offense scores more points than last year I’ll buy your swamp. 🙂

SOLD!!

my problem is this: a first/second day pick, as in this case a third rounder, has to project as a starter or rotational front line player within a year or two. the first three rounds you should be getting premium players that will individually make your team better. these are NOT the rounds you want to draft long shots (as we have done since finks left) or positional players like kickers, punters, special team aces or third string players of ANY kind. fourth round and below is where you draft for those needs.

remember trace armstrong? we traded a 10 sack DE for a 2nd round pick and proceeded to draft a F'ng punter in todd saurkraut. this is similar to what we did this off season with DJ Moore.

all that said.... third string tight ends are not at a premium now or at any time in my memory of the NFL. to say this guy is going to be worth that pick is ridiculous. there are probably 10 TE's that could fill that role after june 1st. all this especially when we have a need for other position starters or at the very LEAST a 2nd string quality player.

instead of moving down we should have been moving up. if there was no DT or DE there then we should have targeted a LB. if we had stayed where we were slotted, a quality RB would have been a better pick to fill out our number two spot and strive for our #1 starting position.

if this is all on poles listening to our HC then someone needs to put a leash on johnson.

36 minutes ago, Lucky Luciano said:

this is similar to what we did this off season with DJ Moore.

All concerns are valid, but truly think you are missing a valuable point with DJ. We obviously needed the cap relief. After that, we have three ultra talented weapons that are still NFL babies. The babies need fed. I can see all of them getting 30 extra targets apiece this year. Add in Walker developing as well.

BJ wants to play 12 and 13 personnel more often, so getting the best blocking TE, who is a physical freak, is a bonus who can also be deployed as a weapon. Depth in the right place is also a great thing to have.

Different folks see DJ in a different way. I liked the guy, but am somewhat relieved he's gone.

I'm still concerned about the DL, more than DJ being gone. Our success and failure will be there, not offense...

25 minutes ago, Lucky Luciano said:

SOLD!!

my problem is this: a first/second day pick, as in this case a third rounder, has to project as a starter or rotational front line player within a year or two. the first three rounds you should be getting premium players that will individually make your team better. these are NOT the rounds you want to draft long shots (as we have done since finks left) or positional players like kickers, punters, special team aces or third string players of ANY kind. fourth round and below is where you draft for those needs.

remember trace armstrong? we traded a 10 sack DE for a 2nd round pick and proceeded to draft a F'ng punter in todd saurkraut. this is similar to what we did this off season with DJ Moore.

all that said.... third string tight ends are not at a premium now or at any time in my memory of the NFL. to say this guy is going to be worth that pick is ridiculous. there are probably 10 TE's that could fill that role after june 1st. all this especially when we have a need for other position starters or at the very LEAST a 2nd string quality player.

instead of moving down we should have been moving up. if there was no DT or DE there then we should have targeted a LB. if we had stayed where we were slotted, a quality RB would have been a better pick to fill out our number two spot and strive for our #1 starting position.

if this is all on poles listening to our HC then someone needs to put a leash on johnson.

The Bears won't be able to afford Edge, LT, DT, or CB in free agency once Caleb's contract extension hits. So the best way to offset that is to have as many players at the highest cap positions on rookie deals in 2029. So any player drafted this year after the 1st round would have one year before they would have to be resigned. I have to think that was considered. Basically every player in a high cap positional value position would be unlikely to get a 2nd contract unless they were a stud. However, lesser position guys like S, C, and TE could be resigned, because their average cap hit for that position is less.

So it would make sense for the Bears to invest fully in Edge, DT, CB, and OT in the top 3 rounds of 2027, 2028, and 2029 to offset Caleb's incoming deal.

3 hours ago, adam said:

The Bears won't be able to afford Edge, LT, DT, or CB in free agency once Caleb's contract extension hits. So the best way to offset that is to have as many players at the highest cap positions on rookie deals in 2029. So any player drafted this year after the 1st round would have one year before they would have to be resigned. I have to think that was considered. Basically every player in a high cap positional value position would be unlikely to get a 2nd contract unless they were a stud. However, lesser position guys like S, C, and TE could be resigned, because their average cap hit for that position is less.

So it would make sense for the Bears to invest fully in Edge, DT, CB, and OT in the top 3 rounds of 2027, 2028, and 2029 to offset Caleb's incoming deal.

You are right, its more complex than getting one good draft pick. They need to add to the roster with cheap rookie contracts from players than contribute. A move up would have cost them two draft picks ( Elliott and Muhammad) in this case. Those are both potential starters if not next year , the next.

I think every draftee plus 3 or 4 UDFA stick and are on the 53 man next year. These last two drafts are very important to sustain winning once Caleb gets 55 mil a year. We have 22 players on the roster from last year. Many are secondary(not guaranteed a spot) but could be future backups.

As much as we have concerns about our pass rush, we will be getting injured players back that will contribute and an offense that will take the next step with Caleb and BJ. If we are in the top 3 offenses in the league , we only need a average D to compete. The strong Ds are in the AFC, Denver, Houston and NE. Seattle is the best but otherwise who else scares you? Every year is different but the best teams with defense are Seahawks-NE-Eagles-and Vikings if you consider them a threat.

9 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

You are right, its more complex than getting one good draft pick. They need to add to the roster with cheap rookie contracts from players than contribute. A move up would have cost them two draft picks ( Elliott and Muhammad) in this case. Those are both potential starters if not next year , the next.

I think every draftee plus 3 or 4 UDFA stick and are on the 53 man next year. These last two drafts are very important to sustain winning once Caleb gets 55 mil a year. We have 22 players on the roster from last year. Many are secondary(not guaranteed a spot) but could be future backups.

As much as we have concerns about our pass rush, we will be getting injured players back that will contribute and an offense that will take the next step with Caleb and BJ. If we are in the top 3 offenses in the league , we only need a average D to compete. The strong Ds are in the AFC, Denver, Houston and NE. Seattle is the best but otherwise who else scares you? Every year is different but the best teams with defense are Seahawks-NE-Eagles-and Vikings if you consider them a threat.

and free agency will be a thing of the past. They may sign one bigger contract per season, but they will have to make it work via trade and the draft.