The Chicago Bears are in the middle of an important offseason, where they’re looking to develop into a contender under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Following a busy free agency that included some big-name additions, including offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears are shifting their focus toward the 2025 NFL draft.
Chicago has seven draft picks, even after their two trades, including four in the Top 75 — 10th overall, a pair of high second rounders and a third-round selection.
Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2025 NFL draft. Next up is linebacker, where the Bears could look to add depth behind starters T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
Who’s on the roster?
- T.J. Edwards
- Tremaine Edmunds
- Amen Ogbongbemiga
- Swayze Bozeman
- Carl Jones Jr.
- Noah Sewell
The linebackers group is carried by T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, but there is definitely room to improve behind them on the depth chart. Amen Ogbongbemiga has made earned his keep as a standout special teams player, but none of the others behind Edwards and Edmunds have produced enough to feel confident about where the position is. This offseason the Bears lost Jack Sanborn in free agency to the Dallas Cowboys, and while Ogbongbemiga or Noah Sewell could be tabbed as a player to step up, there’s more than likely going to be another name added to the mix, whether it’s a late free agency signee or through the NFL draft.
Who departed this offseason?
- Jack Sanborn
After spending the first three seasons of his career with his hometown Bears, Sanborn signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys this offseason, reuniting him with Matt Eberflus, who is the new defensive coordinator in Dallas. Sanborn totaled 164 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one interception during his tenure with Chicago, and his departure now leaves the door open for someone currently on the roster to step up at SAM linebacker, or for the team to add another linebacker this offseason.
Positional need: Moderate
Edwards and Edmunds are the lead dogs at the position, but there’s really not much behind them except for depth and special teams contributors. Between Edwards and Edmunds, the two combined for a total of 239 tackles, but they’re going to need someone alongside them especially for new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. There’s not a desperate need for the position, so there is a chance the Bears look to add a linebacker in either the later stages of the draft, specifically in the third or fifth round of the upcoming draft. There’s also the aforementioned potential of bringing in a name in free agency before training camp begins.
Top draft prospects
- Jalon Walker
- Jihaad Campbell
- Demetrius Knight Jr.
- Chris Paul Jr.
- Carson Schwesinger
Jalon Walker and Jihaad Campbell lead the way for the linebackers group this year, which is not as deep as other positions, and that could lead to teams scooping them up sooner rather than later. Chicago could have their hand forced to take one of these top names before they would like, but these five are the cream of the crop in the 2025 class. Walker and Campbell are likely first round picks, and it would be a surprise to see the Bears target either of them with their No. 10 overall pick. Schwesinger and Paul have been mocked to the Bears in different mock drafts across the internet, but those picks were mocked in the third round, with Chicago holding pick 72.
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