Bear Digest

ESPN Sends Bears a Needed Defensive Boost in Latest 2026 Mock Draft

ESPN’s Field Yates projects the Bears addressing one of their biggest 2025 weaknesses with a power edge rusher at No. 25 in his latest 2026 mock draft.
Bryan Perez|
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Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears don't have many weaknesses entering the 2026 offseason. But one that will continue to come up during free agency and the NFL draft is the team's lackluster pass rush.

And it's that lackluster pass rush that ESPN's Field Yates has the Bears addressing in his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

Yates has the Bears landing Missouri's Zion Young with the 25th pick.

"Pass rush is an obvious need after the Bears posted the NFL's second-worst pass rush win rate in 2025," Yates wrote. "Young would help improve the unit in a hurry with his power and heavy hands off the edge. He also brings versatility, having played some at defensive tackle during his first two collegiate seasons at Michigan State. Young's upper-body power and 33.5-inch arms allow him to power through the anchor of opposing tackles. That was on full display during a rock-solid Senior Bowl week. I could see him pairing with Montez Sweat really well."

It's true that the Bears don't need a savior in their pass rush. Instead, they need a complement to Montez Sweat.

In 2025, Chicago's inability to consistently get to the quarterback forced Dennis Allen's defense into uncomfortable down-and-distance situations and late-game stress.

MORE: PFF Post-Super Bowl Mock Draft Sends Chicago Bears a Defensive Fix They Can't Ignore

Young's profile fits what Chicago is missing. He has power, length, and juice after the snap. And that matters for a team like the Bears, which wants to upgrade their ability to generate pressure at any cost.

At No. 25 overall, the Chicago Bears are unlikely to land a blue-chip defensive cornerstone. But they certainly can secure a high-floor, scheme-fit edge defenders who offer an immediate upgrade.

Zion Young could be that guy.

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Bryan Perez
BRYAN PEREZ

Bryan Perez founded and operated Bears Talk, a Chicago sports blog. Prior to that, he covered the Bears for USA Today’s Bears Wire and NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to his Chicago Bears coverage, Perez is a respected member of NFL Draft media and was a past winner of The Huddle's Mock Draft competition. Bryan's past life includes time as a Northeast scout for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks.

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