Bears linked to potential intimidating defensive addition

The Chicago Bears have made the jump to being a legitimate contender in the NFC this season. After years of disappointing, there is finally major reason for optimism surrounding the team.

Entering Week 16 NFL action, the Bears are 10-4 and currently hold first place in the NFC North division race. However, on Saturday night, Chicago will face off once again against the Green Bay Packers. Again, first place in the NFC North will be on the line in the game.

Just two short weeks ago, the Bears came up short against the Packers. Caleb Williams threw an interception in the end zone on the final drive of the game to end it. At the end of the day, Chicago lost that game by a final score of 28-21.

While the Bears have a legitimate chance to make a postseason run this season, the window has just started to open for Chicago.

Heading into the offseason, the Bears will need to make the right moves to continue taking steps towards a Super Bowl. In the 2026 NFL Draft, Chicago will have a chance to add another big piece for the future.

Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated has come up with an intriguing potential addition for the Bears in the first round of the 2026 draft. He has Chicago taking Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald with the No. 25 overall pick.

“The Bears and McDonald are a tremendous marriage of scheme fit, team need and player skill set,” Flick wrote. “Chicago has the 10th-worst run defense in the league, allowing 126.6 rushing yards per game, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen needs a bigger body on the interior. McDonald, at 6′ 3″ and 326 pounds, is one of the best run stoppers in the class. He’s heavy-handed, often resets the line of scrimmage, and gets off blocks in time to stuff ballcarriers and has impressive short-area quickness for his size.”

During the 2025 college football season thus far, McDonald has racked up 57 total tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. He has been a big part of the Ohio State defense that has a chance to lead the Buckeyes to a second straight national championship.

Standing in at 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, McDonald is an intimidating presence on the defensive front.

It will be interesting to see who the Bears end up with in the 2026 NFL Draft. This season is obviously the focus right now, but McDonald is a name worth keeping an eye on as a potential target.