The Chicago Bears overhauled the offense last offseason, and it appears it will be the defense’s turn in the spring.
Most NFL draft analysts are considering what Chicago will do with the No. 25 pick in Round 1, with most conclusions landing on the best available pass-rusher or defensive tackle still on the board. But the Bears also have six more selections in April, including Nos. 57, 89, 129, 163, 239 and 241 as of Friday, January 23.
Who they choose to fill out other areas of need on the defense will also be incredibly relevant in the franchise’s attempt to return to the playoffs after winning its first postseason game since 2010 earlier this month.
One player to whom the Bears are already paying a significant amount of attention is senior linebacker Shad Banks Jr. of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners.
It’s the second meeting Banks has had with the team. Chicago is one a few teams that have met with him multiple times already.
“The #Bears met with UTSA LB Shad Banks at the American Bowl, I’m told,” Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron posted to X on Friday. “It’s the second meeting Banks has had with the team. Chicago is one [of] a few teams that have met with him multiple times already.”
Shad Banks Can Offer Bears’ Defense Elite Speed, Coverage and Blitzing Skills
GettyLinebacker Shad Banks Jr., formerly of the TCU Horned Frogs.
Banks turns 22 years old in March. He stands at six-feet, one-inch tall and weighs 230 pounds.
Banks finished his fifth and final year of college football in 2025 with 57 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks and one forced fumble across 13 games played. He spent the first four seasons of his collegiate career playing for TCU in the Big 12 Conference.
Banks has substantial speed from the interior linebacker position, running a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, according to Infante.
Infante noted in his scouting report that Banks’ athleticism as a former Junior U.S. Olympic champion in the triple-jump affords him the advantages of strong closing speed. Banks also posses quality ball-tracking coverage skill. He is a good on the blitz and has an “average missed tackle rate,” per Infante.
Banks has a Round 6-7 draft grade from Infante, which could put him in play for Chicago at either pick Nos. 239 or 241. However, given the early interest from other teams, the Bears might need to either use their selection in the mid-fifth round to draft Banks, or facilitate a trade involving some of their late-round draft assets to move into the sixth round.
Bears Had 3 Linebackers Who Ranked in Top Half of NFL Last Season
GettyLinebacker T.J. Edwards of the Chicago Bears.
The Bears fielded a solid group of linebackers in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus rankings.
TJ Edwards (28th), Tremaine Edmunds (36th) and D’Marco Jackson (13th) all ranked in the top half of the 89 linebackers throughout the league who saw enough snaps to qualify for a rating at the position last season.
Jackson is the only one of the three who is a free agent in March. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who played exclusively on special teams in just three appearances all year for the Bears, is also headed for free agency, as is fellow linebacker Ty Summers.
Bears Linked to Speedy, Experienced LB After 2nd Meeting