The Chicago Bears' 2026 NFL Combine experience is over, and it was a joyous one for the franchise, as it went as well as it could have.
A lot of praise came to the work that Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson did in getting the team to the playoffs. They did so well that already four players have the attention of NFL teams for potential trade talks.
There were some big winners from the weekend and some clear losers for the Bears. Here's a look at who won the weekend and took a massive step back.
Winner: Bears' Franchise in General
It really felt like a victory parade for the Bears after the kind of season they had, one that exceeded expectations and got them to the NFC Divisional Round. They were involved in a lot of trade chatter, as NFL teams now want what the Bears have on their coaching staff and roster. Life is good for the Bears right now, and they could be in for a busy offseason.
Loser: Tremaine Edmunds, LB
No Bears fan was surprised to hear that Edmunds was among the four names in trade talks as the team gave him permission to seek a trade. So far, three teams are interested in the veteran linebacker who has recorded over 100 tackles in each of his eight seasons in the NFL. With the Bears looking to save $15 million on the salary cap by moving him, Edmunds is well on his way to being out the door.
Winner: Ben Johnson, Head Coach
Johnson was one of the biggest attractions at the NFL Combine last offseason and once again had even more buzz around him. Everyone knew the potential he had, but going 11-6 and winning the NFC North in his first year as the head coach is about as good a first season as it could have been for him. There is almost a superstar status to Johnson now, as every NFL team is trying to find the next Johnson as their head coach.
Loser: Jaquan Brisker, Safety
This safety draft class is deep with guys who could end up being Day 2 or fourth-round picks and still be considered starters in the NFL in 2026. Poles made it clear that he wants to re-sign Kevin Byard again, but no mention of Jaquan Brisker, as he is a free agent. It almost feels inevitable that Brisker will be elsewhere in 2026.
Read more: NFL insider provides more Tyson Bagent chatter than Bears fans ever expected
Winner: Ryan Poles, General Manager
Poles might have shown more at this combine than Bears fans have ever seen. The confidence he is displaying and the hints of a plan to be aggressive in the offseason have given the fan base plenty to get excited about. Everyone can see that Poles is in a groove with the job, and he's got some things up his sleeve to get the Bears competing for a Super Bowl title.