Final four questions Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles still needs to answer before heading into the 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft will officially kick off in less than a month and while the Chicago Bears are sitting in a nice spot after the free agency action, the front office, and mainly general manager Ryan Poles, still has some key questions to answer.The majority of those questions are centered around the draft itself, […]
The 2025 NFL Draft will officially kick off in less than a month and while the Chicago Bears are sitting in a nice spot after the free agency action, the front office, and mainly general manager Ryan Poles, still has some key questions to answer.
The majority of those questions are centered around the draft itself, but there's some other internal roster questions looming as well, some that will affect the draft plans.
But, as it stands, the Bears have positioned themselves in a very favorable position to be flexible in April's draft depending on how the board falls. With that being said, these are the four burning questions left to be discussed between now and the draft.
1. How high is too high to draft a RB?
This is a conversation teams have had for years and will continue to haggle over for years to come, and the Bears won't be the only team discussing this question. In 2023, it was a simple answer that has since paid off on the field, if the player is special, you take them without hesitation.
That's what the Atlanta Falcons did drafting Bijan Robinson 8th overall and what the Detroit Lions did four picks later drafting Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall. Things seemed to work out pretty well for both sides.
The player in question in this class is Ashton Jeanty, who has strong interest from the Las Vegas Raiders (6th overall), the New Orleans Saints (9th overall), the Chicago Bears (10th overall), and the Dallas Cowboys (12th overall).
Even Jeanty might not be the only back in the discussion. I believe Omarion Hampton has the ability to be one of the Top-15 selections in April's draft and could be in consideration for teams like the Bears or Cowboys if Jeanty is off the board.
It all depends on how these teams value the position and believe it's worth selecting a back so high in the draft. Based on the interest in Jeanty and Hampton from the Bears, it seems like they feel a particular way about the conversation but there's still a lot of time left to make a firm decision.
2. Is Braxton Jones the long-term LT?
This is becoming a tricky situation that will be much more of a conversation after the 2025 season, but the discussion needs to be had now. Of the five starting positions up-front, left tackle is the only position of concern in Chicago now.
Braxton Jones has held the starting gig at LT since being drafted by Poles in 2022 but will be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025. Not to mention he's currently rehabbing from a serious ankle injury suffered late in the season.
If the Bears believe they can find a suitable long-term upgrade over Jones in the 2025 draft class, you have to explore adding that player. Having a long-term blindside protector for Caleb Williams while resetting the contract window for paying your LT is going to be an easy decision to make.
The Bears are already well aware of this by taking the time to meet with Will Campbell (a polarizing prospect in the Top-10) and Josh Conerly Jr. (a more ideal target to consider with one of the Day 2 selections). If the Bears take one of those guys, or another offensive tackle, this question will be decided easily.
3. Are the additions to the trenches finalized?
This was priority #1 for Ryan Poles and the front office this offseason and they accomplished that goal adding in Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, Drew Dalman, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Grady Jarrett to the two trenches, all experienced veterans.
Even after making those additions, Poles and head coach Ben Johnson didn't rule out adding even more offensive or defensive linemen to the roster in April. It's the right mindset and goes beyond finding clear starters whether in 2025 or beyond.
Having depth in the trenches is critical this day in age, you can't just rely on the starting five on offense and starting four on defense, and the Bears learned that the hard way in 2025. Injuries happen, and you need quality depth on the line.
But, addressing that need ahead of time lessens the burden of feeling forced to take an offensive or defensive lineman at the top of the draft. It could still happen, but it ultimately allows the team to draft the prospect with the best fit and highest grade.
4. What does Kyler Gordon's extension timeline look like?
This is something I'm surprised hasn't happened yet. The mutual interest is there between slot cornerback Kyler Gordon and the front office to reach an agreement on a new contract extension, so what's the hold up?
The market for a top-paid nickel has already been established in free agency so the Bears are already behind the ball in finding value in an early deal. The more the front office waits, the more they'll pay in the long run.
Gordon is going to be a great fit in Dennis Allen's new defense scheme, so there's no worry to see that play out either. Looking at the offseason extensions Poles made in prior years, Jaylon Johnson got a new deal on March 7th while Cole Kmet got his deal done on July 26th. So, there's no rush really, but this should be done this offseason.
