Bears Mailbag: Most Important Offensive Position to Address in NFL Draft

Bears Mailbag: Most Important Offensive Position to Address in NFL Draft

Most Bears fans anticipate that general manager Ryan Poles will use a majority of the Chicago Bears' draft capital to upgrade the defense, which would make sense given the unit's struggles last season.

Even though Poles will likely use some high draft capital on the defense, the offense can't be forgotten. Let's look at Ben Johnson's side of the ball for this Bears mailbag article.

What is the most important offensive position to look at in the draft? -- ndallas3

Two positions immediately came to mind and both are on the offensive line: left tackle and center.

With Ozzy Trapilo's torn pattelar tendon and the uncertainty with his recovery, there is a huge question mark as to who will be the Bears' long-term answer at the left tackle position. That could still be Trapilo, but the Bears can't afford to take that chance, especially if they determine there is a prospect that fits Johnson's systyem and can become the starting left tackle of the future.

The Bears do have veterans Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills on one-year deals, but it would still be a risk to just go with the two, considering Wills last played in 2024 because of a knee injury, and Jones was benched early in the 2025 season and injured his shoulder, ending his year.

If the Bears' big board has a left tackle as the highest-graded prospect when the team selects at No. 25, then Poles will make that pick in the first round.

The Bears recently had Utah's Caleb Lomu in for a 30 visit at Halas Hall. His movement skills in Johnson's offense would be a good match in Chicago.

Center is another position the Bears need to think about for the future. After Drew Dalman's unexpected retirement, the Bears moved quickly to trde for veteran Garrett Bradbury. As a stop-gap center, Bradybury brings a veteran prescense to help aid Caleb Williams for the 2026 season.

Bradbury is under contract for one more season, so the Bears have to look to the draft to pair someone with Williams moving forward. The Bears did have Kentucky center Jager Burton in for a 30 visit, so the Bears are interested in looking at prospects.

Both left tackle and center are important positions that can't be ignored. Williams will need reliable players at each spot to continue his development, and if Poles finds the right players in this upcoming draft, he will add them to the Bears' roster.