Chicago Bears 2026 Draft Recap: Building the Future
As the owner of the Chicago Bears, I’ve always prioritized drafting with both the present and the future in mind. With the 2026 draft in the books, I’m excited to share the thought process behind each pick and how these new additions fit into our long-term plans. Here’s a breakdown of our selections:
Brenan Thompson & Tre Wilson – Wide Receivers
With DJ Moore nearing the end of his prime, it’s clear that the 2026 season might be his last as a truly productive player. While Moore still has one more year to contribute at a high level, it’s time to prepare for life after him in seasons 4 and 5. Enter Brenan Thompson and Tre Wilson, two supreme athletes who will spearhead the next chapter of our receiving corps.
Tre Wilson is ready to make an immediate impact. He has the skill set to excel in the slot from day one, and I’m excited to get him on the field. On the other hand, Brenan Thompson is a project. His 96 speed is electrifying, but with only 60 catch, he needs some development. My plan is to bring him along slowly, giving him spot duty to build stats and maximize his Attribute Reset (AR) potential. By season 4, I expect Thompson to hit a 75 catch rating, making him a dangerous deep threat.
Lamiles Brooks – Strong Safety
When Kyle Gordon departed, finding a top-tier safety became a priority. I couldn’t believe my luck when the best safety in the draft, Lamiles Brooks, fell to us. Brooks is a true game-changer with elite athleticism and unmatched coverage skills. He’s rangy, intelligent, and capable of locking down the deep field. I expect him to make an immediate impact as the anchor of our secondary.
Demond Claiborne – Running Back
I’ll admit it—watching Que’s success with Sampson made me want a dynamic running back of my own. That’s where Demond Claiborne comes in. Claiborne has the tools to be a bell-cow back, and I’m excited to see what he can do in our offense. If he even comes close to replicating Sampson’s 1,600-yard season, we’re in for a treat.
Jeadyn Lukus – Cornerback
After trading Jaylon Johnson, I was determined to use the pick we received to upgrade the position. Jeadyn Lukus feels like the perfect replacement. At 6’2” with 94 speed and over 70 ratings in both man and zone coverage, Lukus is a physical corner who can match up with any receiver. He’ll get thrown into the fire right away, and I’m confident he’ll thrive.
Dillon Thieneman – Safety/Sub-Linebacker
NFL Comparison: Harrison Smith
I’m incredibly excited about Dillon Thieneman. He’s just six Awareness points away from being eligible as a sub-linebacker, and that’s exactly why I drafted him. In a division where the Vikings run a high-powered air raid offense, having a player like Thieneman—who reminds me of Harrison Smith—at linebacker will be a game-changer. His versatility will give us a huge advantage.
Jay Toia – Defensive Tackle
You don’t find 323-pound defensive tackles with 94 strength every day. Jay Toia is a rare breed, and we needed a young DT to bolster our defensive line—especially with Gervon Dexter approaching a contract negotiation. Toia has the size and strength to anchor the middle of the defense for years to come.
Jaylen Reed – Safety
Sometimes, you have to make a value pick, and that’s exactly what Jaylen Reed represents. While I didn’t necessarily need another safety, Reed was still on my board late in the draft, and I couldn’t pass him up. His potential makes him a great asset, and we’ll find ways to maximize his contributions.
Final Thoughts:
The 2026 draft was all about retooling key positions while laying the groundwork for the future of the Chicago Bears. From explosive athletes to versatile defenders, this class brings a perfect mix of immediate contributors and high-upside prospects. The work doesn’t stop here, but I’m confident we’ve taken another big step toward building a championship-caliber roster.
Extra credit ..
The Tank Committee Ruling: Nice Try, But We’re Still Winning
So, the league’s Tank Committee decided to suspend Harold Perkins for the entire 2026 season, claiming my 2024 campaign violated their so-called “integrity standards.” Cool story. Here’s the thing: their ruling won’t stop me, and it definitely won’t stop the Chicago Bears from dominating this league.
Losing Perkins for the season is a blow, sure, but we don’t rely on one player—we rely on the system. The 2026 draft was all about building depth, and that’s exactly why I’m not sweating this. I’m guaranteeing no drop-off in production at linebacker.
Why? Because we’ve got Troy Andersen. He’s stepping in for Harold, and honestly, it’s like replacing one Ferrari with another. Troy is just as fast, just as instinctive, and he comes with the same Ball Hawk trait that made Harold such a menace. He’s more than ready to take over, and with Andersen patrolling the middle of the field, this defense won’t miss a beat.
The Tank Committee might think they’ve slowed us down, but they haven’t. This team is built to win no matter what, and the addition of Andersen ensures that we’ll stay on top . Dillon Thieneman is stepping up, and with his hybrid versatility, he’s more than capable of filling the void. This defense is built to thrive no matter what, and the offense is stacked with young talent ready to take over.
The Tank Committee can throw whatever they want at me, but the fact remains: this is a championship-caliber roster. We’ve got the athletes, the playmakers, and the game plan to compete at the highest level. Harold will be back next season, and when he is, this team will be even scarier.
For now, I’m locked in, and so are the Chicago Bears. Tank Committee? Nice try, but we’re still comin. I play a lot of y’all who made the ruling. Let’s see if you can make it count 😈
