As the draft moves into Day 2, bears trade talk is hovering around the Chicago Bears after they opened with a starting safety in Dillon Thieneman and still have three picks in a 32-pick span to keep adding to the roster. The biggest question now is whether the Bears use their extra second-round pick to move around the board for help on defense or offense. Several names that were once tied to Chicago at No. 25 are still available, but the board suggests the pressure is on at No. 57 and beyond.
Chicago keeps its options open
The Bears enter Friday with real flexibility, and that matters because the board has not fully broken in their favor. Edge rushers T. J. Parker and Zion Young, plus defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, remain available after being linked to Chicago earlier, but draft rankings indicate they may not last until the Bears’ next turn. That leaves the team weighing whether bears trade activity could help them jump ahead of a crowded field.
There is also a clear need to keep building around the front seven. The Bears struggled to consistently get after the passer in 2025, and they were 27th in run defense after allowing 5. 00 yards per carry last season. That makes both edge rusher and defensive tackle central to the conversation, even with returning players such as Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner and Austin Booker part of the mix.
Best available names remain in play
Among the defenders still on the board, Lee Hunter stands out as a possible fit at defensive tackle. The Texas Tech lineman is listed as a potential option for Chicago at pick No. 57, where interior help could matter most. Other players near the top of the remaining board include Dani Dennis-Sutton, Treydan Stukes and Davison Igbinosun, showing that cornerback and pass rush depth are still very much alive for the Bears.
The offensive line also remains part of the picture. Chicago has five offensive tackles, but coach Ben Johnson said he does not yet have a long-term answer at the position. That keeps competition open for Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills, Theo Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie if the Bears decide to stay on the line instead of trading up or down.
What the board says about Chicago’s plans
The current setup suggests the Bears could attack one of several needs, depending on how aggressive they want to be. Cornerback cannot be ruled out either, even with Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon in place, because the long-term future still has to be considered. Linebacker is another area worth watching after Chicago hosted several players for 30 visits, a sign the team did its homework.
In a draft that is still moving quickly, the next Bears trade decision may shape whether Chicago leaves Day 2 with a defender who can help immediately or simply waits for the board to come to it. The Bears have the draft capital to act, and the names still available suggest the chance to add a real piece remains open.
Immediate reactions around the board
Brugler’s draft guide points to a deep defensive end class and an underrated cornerback group, while also naming Lee Hunter as a player who could fit Chicago’s need up front. The Bears have been publicly positive about their returning edge and interior players, but the broader picture remains clear: the front seven still needs more help if Chicago wants to come out of this draft stronger.
What’s next for Chicago
Friday’s picks will tell the story. If the right defender slips, the Bears can stay put and add; if not, bears trade possibilities could become the fastest path to a better fit. Either way, Chicago’s next move will likely say a lot about how urgently the team wants to solve its pass rush and run defense issues in this draft.
