Chicago Bears front office hints at draft plans

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Chicago Bears front office hints at draft plans

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 7:08 PM ET

The Chicago Bears have three major areas of need before the 2026 NFL Draft starts on Thursday night.

With left tackle Ozzy Trapilo’s future uncertain due to an injury he suffered against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round and center Drew Dalman retiring, the Bears need to add help on the offensive line.

Since general manager Ryan Poles arrived in Chicago in 2022, the team has not drafted a defensive lineman in the first round. The Bears pass-rush has been anemic since Poles arrived, and that’s a position that should be addressed as soon as possible for a team that needs to make a push with Caleb Williams on a rookie contract.

Coby Bryant gives Chicago Bears flexibility

Former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Bears lost multiple safeties, including Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III. Chicago signed former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant in free agency.

During his news conference on Tuesday, Bears assistant general manager Jeff King suggested the team was “in a position” to add a safety in the draft.

“I think Coby provides us with a ton of flexibility and versatility,” King said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. “We can mix and match back there… Elijah Hicks has started games here.

“So, I think that we are in a position to where we can add to the room. Sure, just like any other room. But we feel confident in the guys we have acquired and that we’ve had in the building where, if we had to go play tomorrow, we would.”

The Bears signing Bryant means the team shouldn’t feel pressed to take a safety with the No. 25 pick unless their top option is a safety on the board there. Chicago can use a pick later in the draft at that position and develop the player to become a more key helper over time.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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