Recent draft mistake headlines the list of Bears players in trouble of losing a roster spot following the 2026 NFL Draft

Instead of hoping Hyppolite will develop entering Year 2, the Bears went out to completely revamp the linebacker position. In free agency, the Bears re-signed D’Marco Jackson while adding Devin Bush and reuniting with Jack Sanborn. That alone put Hyppolite on the hot seat and it got even hotter when the Bears selected Keyshaun Elliott on Day 3 of the draft.

CB Terell Smith

Terell Smith was a solid find by the Bears in the fifth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. During his first two seasons, Smitty played six games and totaled 584 defensive snaps rotating on the outside with Tyrique Stevenson. Late last summer, he suffered a torn Achilles that put him on the shelf for the entirety of the 2026 season.

Dennis Allen had high hopes for what Smitty could bring to the room. He can still look to return this offseason and prove himself, but the competition has only increased.

Chicago’s fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Zah Frazier, is set to rejoin the team after missing his rookie season and the Bears also traded up to draft Malik Muhammad in the fourth-round of the draft this past weekend. It’s going to be great competition in that room and Smitty might be the odd man out.

Coming soon to the Windy City 🍿

The best of Malik Muhammad 🤘@Returnof7 x @ChicagoBearspic.twitter.com/QBjzIjhHm8

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 26, 2026

OL Jordan McFadden

Jordan McFadden was a playoff hero for the Bears after getting the nod to start at left guard in the NFC Divisional Round Game after Joe Thuney kicked over to left tackle. McFadden earned his keep in that game and proved why the Bears had him stashed on the 53-man roster.

While the Bears only added a future starting center in Logan Jones to the offensive line during the draft, Chicago paid top dollar to bring in offensive lineman Caden Barnett as a high priority UDFA.

Barnett has experience at right guard and right tackle. The Bears also have Theo Benedet and 2025 sixth-round pick Luke Newman as backup guard options. Chicago now has plenty of interior depth, and another team will likely poach whoever they cut before he can return to the practice squad.

Bears starting LG Jordan McFadden first-half highlights via NBC Broadcast.

Bold decision by Ben Johnson but it has paid off so far. pic.twitter.com/2ePr3GOpoY

— Kole Noble (@AtoZ_Slaw) January 19, 2026