Bears cleverly had representatives at all-important Pro Day right before draft

With the NFL Scouting Combine over, it’s officially Pro Day season for the Chicago Bears and the rest of the league. 

For many prospects who chose not to participate in Indianapolis or weren’t invited, Pro Days allow them to showcase their skills to all who attend these workouts around the country. And that makes sense, considering the Tigers have two defensive linemen who can help upgrade the Bears’ defense: edge rusher T.J. Parker and interior defensive lineman Peter Woods. 

General manager Ryan Poles, assistant GM Jeff King, and director of player personnel Trey Koziol are not in attendance, since the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported that they are at Oklahoma’s Pro Day, but Chicago still has some form of representation at Clemson. That makes sense, considering the Tigers have two defensive linemen who can help upgrade the Bears’ defense with Parker and Woods.  Both of Clemson’s prospects are projected to go early in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Bears had represetatives at Clemson Pro Day

Parker finished his junior season with 37 total tackles, five sacks, three fumble recoveries, and a pass defensed. Those numbers were down from his sophomore campaign, which saw the 6-foot-3, 265-pound finish with 57 total tackles, 11 sacks, six fumble recoveries, and a pass defensed. 

Woods ended his junior year with 30 total tackles, two sacks, and a pass defensed. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound interior defensive lineman had finished his sophomore year with 26 total tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. 

So far through free agency, the Bears have added two interior defensive linemen in Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street. Both should be viewed as depth signings, which wouldn’t prevent Poles from drafting a defensive lineman. 

The Bears struggled to stop the run, giving up 134.5 yards on the ground per game (27th), and Dennis Allen’s unit wasn’t better at rushing the quarterback. According to Next Gen Stats, the Bears finished 27th in quarterback pressure rate (31.6%). 

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Poles and the rest of his staff will continue traveling the country to attend various Pro Days, and finding defensive linemen prospects should be one of the main priorities going into the 2026 NFL Draft.