Addressing critical needs, the Bears gamble on an unconventional draft pick, potentially shifting a proven right tackle to protect their franchise quarterback.
The Chicago Bears still have various needs at multiple positions, even after the additions they made in free agency.
They addressed the need for a starting safety after losing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. Byard reunited with Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots, while Brisker is back in his home state to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bears brought in Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant on a three-year, $40 million deal.
Then, they needed a linebacker capable of playing in pass coverage, similar to what Tremaine Edmunds did before he was released. Edmunds had four interceptions for Chicago last season.
Neville Gallimore was also added to bring help to a defensive line that needed it. The Bears allowed the sixth-most rushing yards last season and also struggled in sacking the quarterback. Chicago was 22nd in the NFL with 35 sacks in 2025.
Gallimore is a versatile player who can help out in both areas. He recorded 3.5 sacks, 38 total tackles and four TFLs for the Indianapolis Colts last season.
One position of need that is glaring at the Bears ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft is left tackle. It looked like the Bears had finally found their franchise left tackle in Ozzy Trapilo.
However, he suffered a patellar injury versus the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card and is now expected to miss most of the 2026 season. Trapilo may still be the franchise guy at left tackle, but the team needs to find a short-term solution.
General Manager Ryan Poles realized this and brought back Theo Benedet and Braxton Jones on short-term contracts. Both Jones and Benedet started at left tackle at one point last season.
Jones began the year there, but was benched for Benedet. Benedet held down the position until Week 12 before losing the job to Trapilo.
The latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft from CBS Sports has the Bears addressing left tackle. Jordan Dajani had the Bears selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller.
There's only one problem. Miller played right tackle at Clemson, and it could take time for him to get accustomed to playing on the left if the Bears decide to move him over.
"The Bears go offensive line in the first round with the 6-foot-7, 317-pound Blake Miller to protect Caleb Williams," Dajani said. "He played right tackle at Clemson, but could he move over to the left side at the next level?"
Miller has plenty of experience under his belt, playing in 3,778 offensive snaps over 54 career games. He started every game of his Clemson career from 2022-25.
This move could be a risk, but it could also pay off in the long run. The Bears could take Miller, and then have Jones start at left tackle, with the rookie getting valuable experience as a backup.
Then, once Trapilo is healthy, they will have another option for the next few years if they want to move on from the former Boston College product.
Either way, moving from right tackle to left tackle is never easy, especially in the NFL.