Bears' Draft Focus: Trenches for 2026

0:00It's April 20th. This is NFL News Today, your AI-powered source for everything NFL. Chicago Bears got their eyes locked on the trenches for the 2026 NFL Draft. After a solid run, they lost Rookie Aussie Trapilo to a torn Patella tendon in the wild car playoffs, and Drew Dauman shocked everyone by retiring at, just 27. That leaves big holes at left tackle and center on the offensive line. As summer, General Manager Ryan Poles loaded up with all pro Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, Dauman and Trapilo, turning a weak spot into a strength. Caleb Williams got sacked only 25 times, all season, including playoffs. The Bears had the third best rushing game and cracked the top 10 in, scoring when that line clicked. Fans and analysts see the impact clear as day, without a strong front, the whole offense stalls. In defense, they led the league with 33 takeaways and 23 interceptions in 2025, but that came despite one of the worst pass rushes thanks to smart play from linebackers and DBs.

1:05Now Poles has to scout upgrades at edge rusher and interior lineman to generate pressure and stop the run, maybe even prioritizing that over offense. Finding two blue chive guys for both sides won't be easy, but it's non-negotiable. As Ben Johnson schemes in play, they might snag a receiver or back later, but Poles can't sleep on the foundation. The trenches decide if the Bears push deeper next year.