The top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft have found their way to Green Bay ahead of the first round on Thursday night, and for the Chicago Bears, this year has a different feel to it.
By this time last year, it was all but confirmed that Caleb Williams was going to be selected by the Bears with the first-overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. This year, the Bears hold the tenth pick and the team's direction may not be entirely clear.
While recent speculation has heavily linked the Bears to Ashton Jeanty, a report earlier on Wednesday indicated that the offensive line may be the direction the Bears take if Jeanty is off the board.
The top offensive lineman available in this year's draft class is widely believed to be LSU's Will Campbell. Despite some questions over his arm size, NFL teams have fallen in love with his tape and ability to handle the dominant edge rushers in the SEC.
Campbell is among the prospects who will attend the draft on Thursday night. Speaking with the reporters on Wednesday, he revealed the plans the Bears have for him if he were their first-round selection.
"if they draft me, I am playing left tackle," Campbell informed reporters of the Bears' plans for him.
Campbell would be the no-brainer option for the Bears at the left tackle position and assuming the Bears are able to extend Joe Thuney, would give the Bears a starting offensive line that would be in place beyond the 2025 season.
The Bears have a plan for Will Campbell but it may never see the light of day
Now, the biggest issue with the Bears' plan is that they may never have the chance to enact it. By all accounts, the New England Patriots are locked onto the idea of taking Campbell at No. 4.
Having said that, the Bears specifically telling Campbell that he would be playing left tackle does lend credence to the idea that the team isn't giving much thought to the idea of moving Darnell Wright from right tackle. That could change depending on the prospect but chances are if the Bears will be taking an offensive lineman in the first round, it will be with the goal of putting them at left tackle.