The Chicago Bears were one of the most active teams during the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
They selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick and then selected three more players in the second round. Chicago selected Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapoli, and Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner.
These four players will set the foundation of the Ben Johnson era as head coach. There was another player they had targeted, but ended up passing on; he might end up falling into their laps for cheaper.
Bears named top trade target for Shemar Stewart
Everyone knows by now the total chaos that is the Cincinnati Bengals with their potential holdouts in defensive linemen Trey Hendrickson and rookie first round pick Shemar Stewart. There are some that believe the Bengals may end up trading away Stewart's rights to another team or he might reenter the NFL Draft next year.
Bleacher Report content creator Mitchel Milani presents his solution, naming the top trade candidates for Stewart. Chicago made the top of the list as many were picking him in mock drafts, but Stewart could also be a fit for Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme.
Cincinnati Bengals acquire 2026 second and third-round picks
Chicago Bears acquire Shemar Stewart
"Da Bears were actually considered a team that could have drafted Shemar Stewart. There was quite a few people that were mock drafting Stewart to the Bears and I think there's one big connection that would make this possible and that connection is the suitable style of Shemar Stewart and the mix and the fit with Dennis Allen's defense. Dennis Allen looks for power rushers with size, with length and that's always been a huge part of his defenses. Think of the Cameron Jordan type of player inside that scheme. They already have Montez Sweat and yes they did sign a defensive end in free agency, but you look at their depth chart and they have guys like Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy as their third and fourth edge rushers. They don't really have long term security at that position. They could use more and the reason I bring up the Chicago Bears here. The trade would be a second-round pick in 2026 and a third-round selection as well."
Stewart was a third-team All-SEC selection at Texas A&M as he finished the 2024 season with 31 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 12 games. He tested well at the NFL Combine with a 4.59 40-yard dash and a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches.
Edge rusher is a position of need with Chicago, as Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo are the projected starters. While some are high on Booker having a breakout season, depth at the position is something the Bears ultimately did not address as the focus was more on building the roster around quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Bears did have Stewart as part of his 30 visits during the draft process and many thought Chicago would pick him. He would end up going seven picks after the Bears' first round pick to the Bengals.
Cincinnati appears disinterested in contract negotiations, a characteristic that has been part of how their ownership group has operated. This is something the Bears can take advantage of and use to offload picks for 2026 to acquire the pass rusher they were high on during the draft process.
Read more: Bears' turbulent schedule may outweigh Ben Johnson's magic with Caleb Williams
Another key connection is Stewart and his former teammate at Texas A&M, Turner, who are now on the same defensive line again. That can help with their comfort level in Allen's defense.
There's so much that make sense for Chicago to at least pick up the phone and see if Cincinnati would at least consider an offer. The likelihood is Stewart and the Bengals work something out, but the Bears would be silly to not try to acquire a guy they like.