The Chicago Bears shocked the NFL world in the 2025 season, going 11-6 and winning the NFC North. The Bears proved to be one of the more fun, frisky teams in the league, but there was still a lot of meat left on the bone.
The Bears' defense was really not that special outside of the turnovers, and Caleb Williams' completion percentage took a nosedive. When you dig deeper, this 11-win team may have not quite been that good. This offseason has been an important one, as this team still did make a deep playoff run.
But the defense still needs some help, and with the 2026 NFL Draft happening later this month, the Bears do have a chance to put a stamp on this unit.
Updated Chicago Bears NFL Mock Draft as the offseason rolls on
25. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Peter Woods s a top defensive tackle prospect and someone who should be able to line up all over the defensive line for Dennis Allen, the team's defensive coordinator. Chicago needs one more impact player in this unit, and it's hard to argue that Woods isn't that player.
Games in the NFL are won in the trenches, and we saw this emphasis last offseason with the offensive line, so now it's time for the defensive line.
57. AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
The Bears did not re-sign CJ Gardner-Johnson or Kevin Byard, instead signing Cam Lewis and Coby Bryant, but the position is still a need at this point, so Chicago uses pick 57 on AJ Haulcy, a decent safety prospect from LSU. Haulcy has eight interceptions and 11 passes defended the past two seasons with the Tigers.
He also added 163 total tackles during this time and could be one of those defensive backs who is consistently filling up the depth chart. This would be a heck of a pick for Chicago, and he could probably start immediately.