The Chicago Bears still have some areas to address on their defense after their signings in free agency. With holes still left on the roster, can the Bears still consider using their first-round pick on a safety?
Ryan Poles made a series of moves through the first week of free agency.
The Bears' general manager found replacements for Kevin Byard III and Tremaine Edmunds by signing Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant and Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush.
To replace center Drew Dalman, the Bears traded a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for Garrett Bradbury. Poles also signed depth on the offensive and defensive lines with left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and defensive tackles Neville Gallimore and Kentavious Steet. Bills defensive back Cam Lewis also adds versatility to the secondary.
The Bears were active to retool a roster coming off an NFC North title and playoff win over the Green Bay Packers, but holes still remain on the roster. Two of the biggest unknowns remain at edge rusher and strong safety.
Montez Sweat ended his season season with 10 sacks, but Chicago finished 27th in quarterback pressure rate in 2025. Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles in November and even if he fully recovers by the start of the season, adding another playmaker on the edge should be in play.
Strong safety Jaquan Brisker signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, which means the Bears will have two new starters in the backend of Dennis Allen's defense.
Given the importance and value teams place on having players that can rush the quarterback, can the Bears truly consider drafting a safety with the No. 25 overall pick in the first round?
That's a question that Poles and his staff must weigh when considering the pool of players who could be available when the Bears are on the clock.
Let's say for example, Oregon's Dillon Thieneman falls to pick 25. The 6-foot, 205-pound safety played in 15 games his junior season, registering 54 total tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups and four quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
He's someone who displayed plenty of versatility playing during the 2025 season, playing in the box (357 snaps), at free safety (217 snaps) and in the slot (104 snaps).
Thieneman had a formal meeting with the Bears at the NFL Scouting Combine, and would be a playmaker Allen can scheme across the entire field.
But can the Bears afford to address the secondary before adding to their pass rush? If Thieneman is the best player available when the Bears pick at No. 25, then Poles will draft him. However, the Bears must be confident in the next wave of pass rushers.
With picks No. 57 and No. 60, the Bears have a pair of selections in the second round. They secured the latter pick by trading DJ Moore to the Bills.
Either pick would likely be the place the Bears would take an edge rusher in the this scenario. Maybe someone like Michigan's Derrick Moore is available. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound pass rusher ended his senior season with 41 total quarterback pressures, 11 sacks and 17 total tackles in 12 games, according to PFF.
Does that selection alone give the Bears what they need to revamp the pass rush? Or does the team have to make another selection on the D-line?
The draft is unpredictable, but Poles mentioned on the "The McShay Show" that the Bears have created their own draft simulator to help go over different scenarios. That resource will be a common one for the Bears' staff as they continue to research for the 2026 NFL Draft.
By the time April 24 hits, Poles and his staff must have a set plan when it comes to addressing two of the biggest questions marks on the Bears' roster.