Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has his work cut out for him with the team picking 25th in the NFL Draft to start things out.
Poles will have plenty of positions to cover and will try to find the right pieces to fill in on offense and defense. While many believe defense is going to be the big focus in the 2026 NFL Draft, don't sleep on the fact that offense has some big needs as well.
This might set the Bears up with making critical mistakes they can't afford to make. Here are four they need to avoid at all costs.
4 brutal mistakes Bears can't afford in 2026 NFL Draft
4. Trading Tyson Bagent away and picking a quarterback on Day 3
The temptation might be there to trade Bagent away and find another quarterback to replace him, but that would be a massive mistake for the Bears. Solid backup quarterbacks are hard to find in the NFL, and Chicago is high on their opinion of Bagent. If they like him, don't let him go and keep him until the end of his contract, as Case Keenum is not the answer at QB2.
3. Leaving wide receiver until Day 3 of the draft
Yes, the Bears have Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker, and both have the potential to become the WR3 to replace DJ Moore, but there is better talent at receiver that they can easily add. Chicago should not use a first-round pick on a receiver, but with two second-round picks, that could leave them the option to take a guy like Clemson's Antonio Williams or Ole Miss's De'Zhaun Stribling to be the selection in the second or third round.
2. Avoiding defensive back on Day 2
The opening round of the draft is going to be either offensive tackle, defensive tackle, or edge rusher for the Bears, but what about Day 2? Chicago's safety position is a massive concern, as they have Coby Bryant, but Cam Lewis is not the answer at the other starting position. The Bears have to find a safety in the second or third round to be the other starter, developing the way they did with Jaquan Brisker.
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1. Not drafting an edge rusher early in the draft
35 sacks in 2025. That can't happen again for the Bears, as they have to get someone to help Montez Sweat and Austin Booker. The third round should be the latest to get one, but it would be preferable to use a first- or second-round to get the position solved.
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