Full Breakdown
Bears’ Day 2 Draft: Offense-Heavy Picks While Core Defensive Needs Remain Unfilled
4/25/2026, 11:12:06 AM
Core Event – Day 2 Selections
On Friday the Bears used their three Day 2 picks on offense: Iowa center Logan Jones (No. 57, 2nd round), Stanford tight end Sam Roush (No. 69, 3rd round) and LSU wide receiver/return specialist Zavion Thomas (No. 89, 3rd round). The selections followed a first-round pick of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25.
Background & Context
Chicago entered the draft after an 11-6 2025 season that produced an NFC North title, a wild-card win over Green Bay and a divisional loss to Los Angeles. The defense ranked second-to-last in pass-rush production (35 sacks) and 27th against the run. Key departures included safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker; the team signed veteran Coby Bryant at safety but still needed interior pressure and a reliable left tackle to protect quarterback Caleb Williams. The retirement of Pro-Bowler center Drew Dalman and the one-year deal for veteran Garrett Bradbury left the center position as a priority.
Timeline – Picks and Trades
- Round 1, No. 25 – Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57 – Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 2, No. 60 – Traded to Tennessee for No. 69 (Roush) and No. 144 (5th-round)
- Round 3, No. 69 – Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89 – Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)
Data & Statistics
- Defensive line: Montez Sweat recorded 10 sacks; interior tackles Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett combined for 3 sacks.
- Run defense: ranked 27th in yards allowed per game (2025).
- Pass rush: 35 total sacks, second-to-last in the league.
- Offensive line: Bradbury’s contract runs through 2026; Jones won the 2025 Rimington Trophy and was a first-team AP All-American.
Why It Matters – Immediate Impact
Jones competes with Bradbury for the starting center role and fits Ben Johnson’s zone-blocking scheme, potentially improving protection for Williams. Roush adds a “Y-tight end” blocker to a tight-end group already featuring Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, supporting the Bears’ 12-personnel sets. Thomas provides elite speed (4.28-second 40-yard dash) for the receiving corps and special-teams return units. However, the lack of a defensive-line selection leaves the pass-rush deficit and run-stop weakness unaddressed.
Official Statements & Responses
General manager Ryan Poles emphasized a board-driven approach, noting the team “follows the board” and is “very selective of who we want.” He added that the Bears “feel really good about Garrett being the starting center” while acknowledging that “life at the back of the round is different.” Head coach Ben Johnson highlighted the need for versatile tight ends, stating the scheme “loves multiple tight-end sets.”
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts argued the Bears “missed their biggest needs” by forgoing defensive-line talent despite a clear pass-rush shortage. The trade of No. 60 for No. 69 + 144 was called “poor value,” with one evaluation noting Tennessee gained a 21-point advantage on the draft-value chart. Critics also pointed out that Jones, at 299 lb, is undersized for an NFL center, raising questions about his immediate viability.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the trade’s merit: some view the additional fifth-round pick as a net gain, while others label the exchange a net loss. No public scouting report quantifies Jones’s ability against NFL-level interior linemen, leaving his projected starting timeline uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I still feel like I haven't even played my best football yet, and I haven't figured it out. So it's been a journey,” — Logan Jones, center, Iowa
- “When we're on the clock, I've got a ton of confidence things are going to work out just the way we planned them to be.” — Ryan Poles, GM
- “He looks the part.” — Trey Koziol, Bears scout
- “I'm super fired up to be part of what is an incredible tight end room. Those are guys that I can learn from, guys that have been in the league,” — Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
- “He was the best center in the country last year,” — John Bohnenkamp, Iowa writer
What’s Next – Outlook for Training Camp
Jones will compete with Bradbury for the starting center spot; Roush will vie for snaps in the 12- and 13-personnel packages; Thomas is expected to contribute on special teams while developing as a receiver. The Bears remain positioned to address the defensive line via trades or later-round picks before the season begins.
