The Chicago Bears front office knocked it out of the park with their 2025 draft class selections. Several rookies became key contributors in their NFC North division title run and a Divisional Round playoff appearance. While the Bears found a diamond in the seventh round with their selection of running back Kyle Monangai, news just broke about another stud rookie who thought he would be in the Bears’ backfield.
New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson revealed on February 3, ahead of Super Bowl LX, that he believed he would be drafted by the Chicago Bears.
“I was getting the call and my TV was a little delayed, and the Chicago Bears, I thought that they were up,” Henderson told reporters at a Super Bowl 60 media session. “When I got the phone call, I thought that it was the Chicago Bears.” “When they told me it was the New England Patriots, I was smiling but my heart sunk.”
GettyTreVeyon Henderson was selected by the New England Patriots with the 38th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Henderson mentioned that during the draft process, people were advising him to dodge the Patriots, so it appears as though his initial harsh reaction may be more of a result of New England being on the other side of the call and less about it not being the Bears.
Ultimately, Henderson’s rookie season has ended up going pretty well. His 10-touchdown, 1,132-yard campaign set him up as one of the NFL Honors Offensive Rookie of the Year finalists, and he is currently one win away from being a Super Bowl champion.
However, it appears to have worked out for the Chicago Bears as well. While they would end up drafting Kyle Monangai, a fantastic rookie running back in his own right, the selection they made instead of Henderson has also become a pivotal player.
The Bears Opted for a WR over an RB in the Second Round
At the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Luther Burden III out of Missouri. Burden was drafted as a player with immense upside and superstar potential. In his rookie year under Ben Johnson, Chicago began to see glimpses of the threat Burden can be. He finished his rookie campaign with 652 yards and two touchdowns. Burden also averaged 43.5 yards per game and had the most yards after catch (334) among all wide receivers on the team. He brought an explosive and vertical element to pair with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
GettyLuther Burden III averaged 17.2 yards per catch against the San Francisco 49ers.
His best performance came in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. Burden caught a touchdown along with 138 yards on eight receptions.
Heading into his sophomore year, Burden will look to establish himself as a more consistent and reliable target for Caleb Williams. He will have an even better opportunity to move up the depth chart if Chicago decides to move off of DJ Moore, who has been consistently listed as a top trade candidate.
While Burden was a piece of the Bears’ heavy offensive approach in their last draft, many expect the Bears to focus on the defense come April 2026.
Several Mock Drafts Have the Chicago Bears Landing Defensive Players
Pro Football Focus graded the Bears as the 20th-ranked defensive unit in the league in 2025. While the Bears led the league in turnover differential, they registered only 126 quarterback pressures and allowed the fifth-most touchdowns.
Several mock drafts have them addressing the defensive side of the ball. Trevor Sikkema of PFF has them targeting the interior defensive line and selecting defensive tackle Lee Hunter out of Texas Tech. NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund has Chicago selecting safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren out of Toledo. Matt Miller of ESPN has them addressing the edge with Zion Young out of Missouri.
While there is variety in the position of the player they may select, the side of the ball they play on appears to be consistent.
Super Bowl LX Rookie RB Disappointed By Bears’ Draft Decision