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Bears Draft Safety, Center, Sign 13 UDFAs, Remain Contenders

4/29/2026

44 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Poles, Johnson Draft

GM Ryan Poles and HC Ben Johnson completed the Bears’ 2026 draft, selecting safety Dillon Thieneman and center Logan Jones.
The class posted a 2.82 GPA and lacked an edge rusher, with Jordan van den Berg as the first defensive-line pick in round six.
Chicago signed 13 undrafted free agents, six in the top-12 at their positions on Chad Reuter’s list, entering 2026 as Super Bowl contenders despite lacking a pass-rusher.

Summary

Bears Cap Space

The Bears entered the draft with roughly $10.79 million in cap space after restructuring contracts with veterans Cole Kmet and Jonah Jackson.
General manager Ryan Poles said the team explored trading up for a second-round edge-rusher but deemed the cost too high.
The only defensive-end free-agency move was a two-year extension for special-teams player Daniel Hardy.

Summary

Muhammad Drafted

The Chicago Bears selected Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad 124th overall after trading up five spots.
At the NFL Combine, former Bear Charles “Peanut” Tillman chaperoned Muhammad, who ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and allowed 8.0 yards per catch with a 57.8 passer rating.
He joins a secondary with Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon, could play special teams, and is viewed as a potential early replacement for Stevenson.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the NFL set a $34.6 million salary cap, prompting Chicago Bears GM Dave Wannstedt to trim payroll. That fiscal shift arrived during the United Nations’ International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal and the June 17 start of the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The Bears’ 2026 cap-room plan mirrors the same disciplined approach.

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Poles, Johnson Draft

GM Ryan Poles and HC Ben Johnson completed the Bears’ 2026 draft, selecting safety Dillon Thieneman and center Logan Jones.
The class posted a 2.82 GPA and lacked an edge rusher, with Jordan van den Berg as the first defensive-line pick in round six.
Chicago signed 13 undrafted free agents, six in the top-12 at their positions on Chad Reuter’s list, entering 2026 as Super Bowl contenders despite lacking a pass-rusher.

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