Biggest Chicago Bears Winners and Losers After the NFL Draft

Tyrique Stevenson was one of the biggest losers coming out of the Chicago Bears' 2026 NFL Draft thanks to the selection of Malik Muhammad.

Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. | David Banks-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears' 2026 NFL Draft brought in seven new players and, along with them, some good and bad news for players already on the Bears' roster.

This offseason was all about bringing in more competition, and the Bears did exactly that in the draft. However, if there's one mistake we believe the Bears made, it's which positions they brought in more competition for.

We'll take that and more into account as we run through the biggest winners and losers from the Bears' 2026 NFL Draft.

Winner: Braxton Jones

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones. | David Banks-Imagn Images

There was a possibility the Bears would draft a left tackle early to add to their competition given the injury to Ozzy Trapilo and uncertainty of the guys set to compete for his job in 2026.

But that did not happen, which is especially good news for Jones, who is the favorite to start over Jedrick Wills and Theo Benedet, among any others Chicago throws into the mix.

“He came in when he signed the contract and he looked like a brand-new man," head coach Ben Johnson said of Jones. "This guy was beefed up... He’s very determined to get his career trajectory back to where it was before.”

Loser: Tyrique Stevenson

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson and Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. | Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The intent of drafting Malik Muhammad in the fourth round is clear: the Bears want competition at boundary cornerback.

Stevenson was bad last season, and so much so that the Bears went on to reduce his playing time in favor of Nahshon Wright, who is now playing elsewhere. Stevenson will be fighting for a starting job this offseason.

Winner: Edge rushers

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley and Chicago Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The biggest surprise of the Bears' draft was the team not taking an edge rusher, which is great news for the team's question marks at the position, Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner and Austin Booker.

Had the Bears taken an edge rusher in the draft, it could have meant less opportunity for all three. Now, barring a significant signing in free agency, Booker, Odeyingbo and Turner till have ample opportunity to seize a big role in 2026.

Loser: Garrett Bradbury

New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

When the Bears pulled the trigger on a trade for Bradbury, it was done to replace Drew Dalman, who unexpectedly retired. While Bradbury is still likely to start this coming season, it's no longer considered a foregone conclusion.

The Bears threw us all a curveball during the draft, when Chicago took a center in Logan Jones in Round 2. That offers the veteran center some competition and no longer guarantees his starting role, whether that be in Week 1 or later in the season.

That could also mean Bradbury will be a trade candidate at some point if Jones can find his way to the top of the depth chart, something I wouldn't rule out.

Winner: Neville Gallimore

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Neville Gallimore. | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

We know the Bears are going to deploy Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett as their starters on the interior, and Gallimore is going to have a key role as the third interior defensive lineman.

Interior defensive line was another position we thought Chicago would draft a player at, but instead general manager Ryan Poles waited until the sixth round to address the position. We do think Jordan van den Berg is a promising player, but he's also a sixth-rounder so expectations should be tempered.

Nevertheless, Gallimore's role is not threatened, at least from the outset.

Loser: Veteran tight ends

Chicago Bears tight end Stephen Carlson. | David Banks-Imagn Images

I'm not sure anyone had the Bears drafting a tight end on their radar for 2026 with the team sporting an elite duo of Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.

But that's exactly what happened when the Bears took Stanford's Sam Roush in the third round. It's very clear at this point that head coach Ben Johnson is going to be running plenty of 13 personnel.

Roush's addition stinks for the veteran tight ends who thought the Bears would have two open spots on the roster at the position.

Now, guys like Nikola Kalinic, Qadir Ismail and Stephen Carlson will have one spot, at best, to make the roster.