After a long three-day 2026 NFL Draft weekend, it has concluded, and everyone is talking about their initial feelings on how the Chicago Bears did.
Even with the Day 1 success they had, the last two years were a bit mixed, as fans saw some things they liked and others they didn't. Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson are facing tough questions, as there is more pressure on them to at least reach the Super Bowl in 2026.
With the dust settling, how did the Bears end up doing? Who were the biggest winners and losers from the weekend?
Winner: Dennis Allen, Defensive Coordinator
There are a lot of Bears fans upset about not getting an edge rusher or defensive tackle within the first five rounds of the draft, but Allen really needed help in the secondary, and adding Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman and Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad will certainly do that. The hope is that the guys on the current roster can step up on the line, but after losing five key players in the secondary, Thieneman and Muhammad will at least help the pass defense out.
Loser: Garrett Bradbury, C
Chicago found their center of the future in Iowa's Logan Jones in the second round. Bradbury must have known this was going to happen, but he was probably hoping they would let him keep the job and stop hopping between teams. He's got a year to prove himself, but it feels as though Jones will have his job in 2027.
Winner: Gervon Dexter, DT
The Bears are more than likely going to give Dexter a new contract at some point, but not taking a tackle until the sixth round will help his chances of getting an extension. After having six sacks a season ago, Chicago has to put a new deal in front of Dexter and not let him walk in free agency soon, or they will be scrambling next offseason to find his and more than likely Grady Jarrett's replacements.
Loser: Caleb Williams, QB
There is a lot to be excited about with this Bears' offense, as Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Colston Loveland are going to be the top targets. At the same time, though, the Bears are really hoping for good performances from guys like Kalif Raymond, Jahdae Walker, and third-round pick LSU receiver Zavion Thomas. Williams should still have enough around him, but it feels as though the Bears are praying their young talent develops, or their franchise quarterback will see a regression.
Read more: Ben Johnson is the man with a plan to improve Bears' troublesome pass rush
Loser: Ryan Poles, General Manager
Poles and the Bears clearly wanted to get fast, athletic guys to walk through Halas Hall for the 2026 season, which they accomplished. It still feels as though there was much left to be desired in this draft, with a lack of focus on the offensive and defensive lines and an overvaluation of prospects they could have picked later. Based on last year's draft, Poles deserves the benefit of the doubt, but skepticism remains among Bears fans, and they hope they are wrong about this draft class.
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