The Chicago Bears selected seven players in the 2026 NFL Draft, enhancing their roster with key additions like safety Dillon Thieneman and center Logan Jones. The projected depth chart reflects these new rookies and their potential impact.
Key points
Bears selected seven players in the 2026 NFL Draft
Dillon Thieneman enhances the secondary
New offensive additions include Logan Jones and Zavion Thomas
The Chicago Bears selected seven players during the 2026 NFL Draft, which featured plenty of speed, playmakers and athleticism, including some impactful contributors and potential late-round gems.
The Bears landed a steal in the first round with safety Dillon Thieneman, who upgrades the secondary in a massive way. Chicago also added some new toys on offense for head coach Ben Johnson, including center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas on Day 2. The Bears also added some high upside rookies in cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg on Day 3.
Following the NFL draft, we're projecting the Bears' current depth chart, including the new rookie additions. Note: This excludes undrafted free agents as those signings are currently unofficial.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones
Q&A
Who did the Chicago Bears draft in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bears drafted seven players, including safety Dillon Thieneman, center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush, and wide receiver Zavion Thomas.
What positions did the Bears address in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bears focused on enhancing their secondary, offensive line, and playmaking positions, adding players like a safety, center, tight end, and wide receiver.
How does Dillon Thieneman improve the Bears' defense?
Dillon Thieneman is expected to significantly upgrade the Bears' secondary with his skills and athleticism.
What is the projected depth chart for the Bears after the 2026 NFL Draft?
The projected depth chart includes new rookies like Thieneman, Jones, Roush, and Thomas, along with other key players from the previous season.
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Caleb Williams is entering his third season, and second working with Ben Johnson, and expectations are higher than ever. Williams had a breakout season in 2025, where he emerged as one of the NFL's most clutch quarterbacks. Now, the Bears are looking at him to take the next step. Meanwhile, Tyson Bagent is back as Williams' backup while Case Keenum returns as another coaching figure for Williams.
The Bears return their running back duo of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, which led the NFL's third-best rushing attack last season. Swift is coming off a career year with Chicago, where he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for just the second time in his career, while seventh-round rookie Monangai emerged as one of the biggest steals of the 2025 draft. Brittain Brown and Deion Hankins were preseason standouts and Roschon Johnson played exclusively on special teams.
Chicago traded star wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for a second-round pick, and a big reason they could do that was the 1-2 punch at receiver in young, promising players in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, who will be focal points on offense. The Bears signed veteran Kalif Raymond to lead the young room and serve as WR3, as well as a return specialist. Chicago also added a speedy playmaker in Zavion Thomas in the third-round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bears have one of the best tight end duos in the NFL with last year's rookie standout Colston Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet. Loveland led the team in receiving, receiving yards and tied for most touchdowns during his impressive rookie season. Kmet took a backseat in the passing game, but he was a solid target when needed and excelled as a blocker. The Bears drafted Durham Smythe's replacement in third rounder Sam Roush.
The Bears return three key members of their top offensive line with All-Pro Joe Thuney, Darnell Wright and Jonah Jackson. But they suffered a massive loss following Drew Dalman's shocking retirement, which forced Chicago to trade for Garrett Bradbury to fill the void. But second-round rookie Logan Jones will challenge him for the starting center spot. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the season, there will once again be a left tackle competition between Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet and newcomer Jedrick Wills Jr.
The Bears return their top three edge rushers from a season ago with Montez Sweat, as well as Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo, who both missed significant time due to injury. Shemar Turner, who played defensive tackle last season, is expected to make the switch to edge, and he'll also be part of the rotation returning from injury. The Bears re-signed Daniel Hardy to provide depth and return a key special teamer. But there's a lot to be desired from this group, especially after the Bears notched just 35 sacks last season, and didn't address this position in the NFL Draft.
Atlanta Falcons (AWAY)
Buffalo Bills (AWAY)
Carolina Panthers (AWAY)
Detroit Lions (HOME and AWAY)
Green Bay Packers (HOME and AWAY)
Jacksonville Jaguars (HOME)
Miami Dolphins (AWAY)
Minnesota Vikings (HOME and AWAY)
New England Patriots (HOME)
New Orleans Saints (HOME)
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Philadelphia Eagles (HOME)
Seattle Seahawks (AWAY)
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Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Atlanta Falcons (AWAY)
1 / 14
Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Atlanta Falcons (AWAY)
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Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Buffalo Bills (AWAY)
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Chicago Bears 2026 opponents set
Carolina Panthers (AWAY)
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Bears vs. Lions: Photos from Chicago's loss in Week 18
The Bears return starting defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett to a group that struggled last season, especially defending the run. Chicago spent free agency adding depth to the position, including signing Neville Gallimore, but they still need to find an impact interior defender to help shore up one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster. The Bears selected Jordan van den Berg in the seventh round of the NFL draft, and it sounds like they have big plans for him.
The Bears released Tremaine Edmunds before free agency kicked off as a means to free up salary cap space, and they found a cheaper replacement in Devin Bush, who had a career resurgence with the Cleveland Browns. Chicago also re-signed D'Marco Jackson, who stepped up amid injuries to Edmunds and T.J. Edwards last season. The Bears also returned a familiar face in Jack Sanborn to compete in a room also featuring Noah Sewell and Ruben Hyppolite II. Fifth-round rookie Keyshaun Elliott will also factor into the competition.
Chicago's top cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon missed most of the 2025 season due to injury, but they're returning healthy, which should help the secondary immensely. The Bears lost Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright in free agency, so they have a big decision to make at cornerback -- do they trust Tyrique Stevenson to start, do they need to find a newcomer in the draft or will they allow guys like Terell Smith and Zah Frazier to compete for the starting job. Chicago's fifth-round steal Malik Muhammad should also challenge for the starting job as a rookie.
The Bears have a new-look safety duo with free-agent addition Coby Bryant and first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman, who both bring speed, instincts and athleticism to the secondary. Chicago lost both starting safeties in Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, as well as depth Jonathan Owens but managed to re-sign Elijah Hicks. They also signed versatile defensive back Cam Lewis in free agency.
The Bears are returning their starting kicker and punter from a year ago, but they still have a question mark at long snapper. Scott Daly has been the starter for the past two years, but he remains unsigned as a free agent. Luke Elkin is the only long snapper in place, so we'll see if Chicago has plans for him moving forward.
