For the past three months, Chicago Bears fans have operated under the assumption that the team was leaning toward one direction for its 1st-round pick in the upcoming draft. They need help on defense after its 29th overall finish in 2025. That was before multiple starters left the team in free agency. Tremaine Edmunds, Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are all gone. That isn\u2019t even counting the loss of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Chris Williams, and Dominique Robinson as depth options. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has a ton of work to do on that side of the ball.<\/p>\n
However, given his recent actions, you might wonder whether the defense is truly his priority heading into the draft. Earlier this week, he was at Alabama\u2019s pro day. The top-rated Crimson Tide prospect this year? That would be left tackle Kadyn Proctor. Then on Friday, Poles surfaced again, this time at Arizona State. Their second-highest-rated draft prospect this year, behind wide receiver Jordyn Tyson? That would be right tackle Max Iheanachor. Neither program offers a defensive prospect who is considered a 1st-round talent this year.<\/p>\n
While Poles may have been there to watch multiple guys, the tackles were the biggest draws.<\/p>\n
One must remember Ryan Poles is acting on behalf of Ben Johnson.<\/p>\n
While the Bears\u2019 general manager still runs the front office and scouting department, the new head coach has significant say on personnel decisions. Put simply, no 1st round pick is made without a green light from him. In other words, if he wants to go after a left tackle, that is what the Bears will do. The position remains unsettled. Ozzy Trapilo looked well on his way to filling it last season before tearing his patellar tendon in the wild card win over Green Bay.<\/p>\n