Chicago Bears declared NFC North draft champions

With three teams ahead of them who made the playoffs in 2024, the Chicago Bears have a tall task in terms of climbing the NFC North mountain. However, the Bears remain hopeful that the 2025 NFL Draft will help set them on the right path.

Chicago went heavy offense throughout the draft, continuing to build around quarterback Caleb Williams. New head coach Ben Johnson certainly had an impact on those selections. After finishing dead last in total offense in 2024, averaging 284.6 yards per game, it’s no surprise to see Chicago stock their roster with offensive talent.

Ultimately, the Bears rookies will need to prove themselves throughout training camp and into the regular season to be declared true franchise building blocks. But as Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus looks back at the 2025 NFL Draft, he argues Chicago had the best draft class in the entire NFC North.

“The Bears followed suit with their offseason intention of building around Caleb Williams, landing premier playmakers while also addressing other weaker roster points.” Locker wrote.

“The Bears didn’t explicitly prioritize other positions of need, such as running back, edge rusher and safety,” Locker concluded. But given a weaker group of drafts in the NFC North and their finalization of Ben Johnson’s offensive vision, their draft was still relatively effective.”

Chicago Bears 2025 NFL Draft class

Chicago’s first three picks were used on offense with tight end Colston Loveland going at No. 10, wide receiver Luther Burden following at No. 39 and tackle Ozzy Trapilo rounding out the trio at No. 56. All three have the potential to make an immediate impact on the Bears.

Loveland will be a key chess piece in Johnson’s new offense. The head coach worked wonders with Sam LaPorta on the Detroit Lions. Loveland will now fill a similar role. Burden gives the Bears an elite after-the-catch threat. Burden with the ball in open space is a nightmare for any defensive coordinator. He’ll likely start in the slot and likely Loveland will be put in creative positions to succeed.

Trapilo will battle for the starting left tackle role. A right tackle in college, there’s also a chance he remains there while Darnell Wright moves over the left. While the configuration hasn’t been set yet, Trapilo is a major part of Chicago’s offensive line plans moving forward.

The Bears finally went defense at No. 62 with defensive tackle Shemar Turner and followed it up by taking linebacker Ruben Hyppolite at No. 132 and cornerback Zach Frazier at No. 169. While Turner is officially listed at DT, he played all five defensive line positions at Texas A&M. He is expected to be a versatile weapon across the defensive line for the Bears.

Hyppolite drew little buzz leading up to the draft. However, his 4.39 40-yard dash at Maryland’s Pro Day certainly caught Chicago’s eye. As did Frazier’s senior season with UTSA. The cornerback led the American Conference with six interceptions, showing his ball hawking skills. All three players will be key for Allen’s new defense as he builds the team’s identity.

The Bears rounded out their draft with guard Luke Newman at No. 195 and running back Kyle Monongai at No. 233. Newman will be in the mix to backup all three interior offensive line positions. Monangai has been getting more buzz than most seventh-rounders and could sneak into Chicago’s running back plans.

It’s one thing to be heralded for your draft, it’s another for the players in your class to prove why they were chosen. The Bears are trying to turn a new leaf as a franchise in 2025. And their draft class will play a crucial role in welcoming in Johnson and the team’s new culture.