The 2026 draft just finished, and the Chicago Bears are already being told what they’ll have to do in 2027: Fix defensive tackle.
In his way-too-early 2027 mock, Jordan Reid has Chicago selecting Ahmad Moten Sr. out of Miami with the No. 16 overall pick. His explanation was blunt:
“The Bears went surprisingly light on the interior defensive line in last week’s draft, waiting until the sixth round to address the position. Moten is an explosive disruptor who finished with nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. He has quick and powerful hands to swipe away interior blockers and is a stout run defender who can stand his ground in gaps. Moten needs to play with better pad level, as his aggressiveness can cause him to play high and be pushed out of position, but he could be the Grady Jarrett heir apparent in Chicago.”
A position of need that got ignored
GettyBears DT Grady Jarrett
The Chicago Bears spent the entire offseason talking about interior defensive line as a priority. Then they watched Peter Woods go at No. 29 and Kayden McDonald come off the board at No. 36. Chicago’s lone DT addition came at pick 213, when Ryan Poles packaged both seventh round picks to trade up and take Georgia Tech’s Jordan van den Berg.
To their credit, the Bears love the pick. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the organization views van den Berg as a steal, with several of his testing numbers hitting the highest mark on their internal scouting scale. GM Ryan Poles himself said the building lit up when the pick came in.
But van den Berg is a developmental sixth rounder. He’s raw. He’s unlikely to provide more than a rotational role in 2026 at best. And the Bears went into the draft with real options on the table at a position of clear need and passed.
Poles has leaned on “best player available” to explain the approach, and taking Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 over several DL prospects fits that philosophy. But at some point, you need to address your biggest issue. Cause the Bears were tied for third worst in the league allowing 6.0 yards per play in 2025 and their interior was a significant reason why.
The bigger picture
GettyBears DT Gervon Dexter
Grady Jarrett is entering Year 2 of a three year, $43.5 million deal coming off a knee scope that disrupted his entire 2025 season. After turning 33 this week, his future in Chicago most likely won’t last much longer.
Gervon Dexter is on the final year of his rookie contract, has 11 sacks over the past two seasons, and was reportedly a trade candidate as recently as the Combine. He dodged that bullet when the Chicago Bears didn’t land a first round DT, but his future beyond 2026 remains genuinely uncertain.
Sure a year four breakout is possible, but the Bears aren’t in a position to bet heavily on it. With Caleb Williams and Darnell Wright extensions looming, a big Dexter payday feels unlikely.
That leaves Dayo Odeyingbo, coming off a torn Achilles, and Shemar Turner, coming off a torn ACL, as the interior’s developmental bets entering the season.
If 2026 produces more of the same up front, 2027 won’t feel way-too-early at all. It’ll feel overdue.
Way-Too-Early 2027 Mock Draft Has Bears Fixing the One Problem They Ignored