Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears selected Boston College OT Ozzy Trapilo with the No. 56 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Ozzy Trapilo is a three-year starter at right tackle inside Boston College's run-heavy (64-36 run-pass split) multiple-run scheme. Trapilo has a lean, well-rounded build with good arm length, solid athletic ability and good play strength.

Trapilo is a skilled all-around run blocker with a firm understanding of timing and spacing that, combined with his size and above-average play strength, allow him to consistently navigate combos/doubles to cover up his target and secure the first level before his climb.

He shows very good hand placement and strain to create leverage on angle-drive blocks and get defenders walled off while having enough burst to close ground and intersect targets on leads, pulls and screens. He does struggle to redirect laterally due to some lower half stiffness, leaving him easily beat underneath on climbs to backside linebackers and vulnerable to getting his face crossed by sudden post-snap gap exchanges/slants.

In pass protection, Trapilo uses a low-hand carriage with active, independent hands to bait rushers, slow down inside counters with a responsive catch hand, circle punch and corral high-side speed rushes. Trapilo does a nice job of playing long after his initial strike with his head out of the block and rushers at his fingertips to widen the edge. He does a very good job of building his house at the spot with a stout, firm anchor against the bull-rush. Trapilo's tall frame and adequate foot quickness result in some lag time when redirecting against adept counter moves but he plays with good patience and discipline to not overcommit very often.

Overall, Trapilo has the size, craftiness, play strength and anchoring ability to be a high-level backup at tackle or guard right away and compete for a starting right tackle role as a rookie inside a multiple run scheme that majors in zone concepts.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'8"

WEIGHT: 316

HAND: 10⅜"

ARM: 33"

WINGSPAN: 81"

40-YARD DASH: 5.21

3-CONE: 7.71

SHUTTLE: 4.7

VERTICAL: N/A

BROAD: 8'10"

POSITIVES

— Well-rounded build with thick limbs and good play strength.

— Active, skilled hand-fighter who utilizes independent hands, knows how to strike and keep rushers at his fingertips with a flat-back posture.

— Builds his house at his spot in pass protection with a quick, responsive anchor against power.

— Shows a firm grasp of spacing, depth and timing.

— Closes the doors and minimizes penetration with his guard on combos/doubles and penetrators/loopers.

— Uses his size and play strength to cover up his target on angle-drive blocks with good strain to create displacement and expand the gap.

— Solid burst and quickness to close ground and intersect his target on leads, pulls and screens.

NEGATIVES

— Shows some stiffness in his lower half with mediocre redirect skills and lateral agility.

— Thin margin for error with opening his hips/shoulders in pass protection that can sap recovery skills against adept setup moves and counters.

— Consistently gets too far upfield on his second-level climbs off of Deuce blocks that leave him vulnerable to getting beat underneath by quick-trigger backers.

NOTES

— 4-star recruit from the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 AP First Team All-ACC selection

— Team captain

— 36 career starts split at right tackle (34), left guard (one) and right guard (one)

— His late father, Steve, played offensive line at Boston College, was drafted in the fourth round by the Saints and started 52 games at guard before a knee injury cut his career short

GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 76

POSITION RANK: OT5

PRO COMPARISON: Rob Havenstein

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

The Chicago Bears selected Missouri WR Luther Burden III with the No. 39 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Luther Burden III is a dynamic playmaking slot receiver who needs the football. Whether down the field or in the quick passing game, get Burden involved.

Burden excels working out of the slot, which gives him a two-way go to get into his route. He effectively handles "gadget" or manufactured touch plays in space. Burden's alignment versatility opens up the playbook to create mismatches and advantageous matchups. He has aligned in the backfield at running back, in bunch and stacked sets.

Burden is great after the catch due to his play strength, contact balance, and body control. He is a tackle-breaking machine who runs through arm tackle attempts routinely. Burden has an explosive and dynamic burst/acceleration to generate chunk plays after the catch. He brings enough straight-line speed to win on slot fades down the field. Burden's experience as a punt returner shows up on offense. When the ball is in his hands, he weaves in and out of traffic, evading pursuing defenders. Surprisingly, Burden wins in contested catch situations due to his innate play strength and ultra-competitive drive.

However, Burden's frame and wingspan are not great. This can present challenges to win at the catch point against longer NFL cornerbacks. Due to his slot-heavy alignment, Burden does not face much press alight or jam technique. Another potential challenge at the next level is teams playing more two-high coverages. Burden will need to handle more physical coverage when presented with it and have answers with his release package and route running abilities. Throughout his career, concentration drops have been a concern. So far, so good this season, but it is worth watching. As a result of Missouri's offense creating advantageous opportunities for him, Burden's route-running and route-tree are not as robust as other wide receiver prospects.

Overall, Luther Burden III is an explosive and dynamic run-after-catch threat. He should be able to carve out a similar role early in his NFL career. Burden has room to grow and elevate his game as a pro. He will benefit from being linked to a creative offensive coordinator who will utilize his full skill set to help the offense. The best way to implement Burden into the offensive system is to get him involved in the passing game from multiple alignments with pre-snap motion.

MEASURMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 206

HAND: 8½"

ARM: 31¼"

WINGSPAN: 76½"

40-YARD DASH: 4.41"

POSITIVES

— Dynamic playmaker who excels with the football in space.

— Special teams value as a punt returner

— Generates big plays with post-catch burst and acceleration.

— Alignment versatile offers creative play-calling possibilities.

— Excellent play strength, routinely breaking tackles.

NEGATIVES

— Slot-heavy usage, limited outside snaps since the start of 2023.

— Consistently having answers when facing press alignment.

— Having fewer concentration drops.

NOTES

— Born Dec. 12, 2003

— 5-star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2023 First-Team All-SEC; Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist

GRADE: 7.8 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 35

POSITION RANK: WR5

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Curtis Samuel & Randall Cobb

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Chicago Bears reportedly may have their sights set on a tight end when they are on the clock at 10th overall in next week's NFL draft.

During Thursday's episode of The McShay Show, Todd McShay of The Ringer reported that Michigan tight end Colston Loveland may be the guy for the Bears if Penn State tight end Tyler Warren has already been selected.

While McShay acknowledged that some Bears fans may not prefer a tight end at that spot, McShay expressed his belief that Warren or Loveland would be impact players with the franchise.

"Call me in October when your young quarterback who had all that trouble last year has a new coach that can cook up some schemes in the lab and utilize those tight ends," McShay said. "Now we are in 12-personnel, now we are a headache."

Warren is rated as the No. 15 overall player and the No. 2 tight end, while Loveland is the No. 13 overall player and top tight end by Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department. Warren has been linked to teams like the New York Jets, who hold the seventh pick in the draft.

Loveland would certainly be an excellent consolation prize for Chicago if he isn't already the target. He has played a significant role for Michigan in each of his three seasons and compiled 117 total catches for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns in his collegiate career.

He could join an offense that already has a solid tight end in Cole Kmet and promising receivers D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. He would be another weapon for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and could allow Johnson to bring concepts of his offense with the Detroit Lions.

The 2025 NFL draft is set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Chicago Bears selected Michigan TE Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Colston Loveland is an athletically gifted tight end with high-end talent and potential at the next level.

Tight ends are the biggest mismatch creators in the NFL today. Colston Loveland fits the mold incredibly well. At his height and weight, Loveland is a quick-footed and athletic mover. He can snap in and out of his breaks with quickness and suddenness to separate from coverage on short routes. He can run quick choice/option routes due to his blend of agility and football IQ. He has great ball skills to give defenses trouble in the red zone. His basketball background is displayed when high-pointing passes like going up for a rebound.

Loveland can operate as a traditional in-line and/or the pass-catching move tight end in both the run and passing games. That versatility will help him NFL offensive coordinators create a game plan for him within the offense. Loveland succeeds in running routes from multiple alignments and will put defenses in a bind, determining what type of defender should handle him as their assignment. Linebackers and nickel corners are too small to combat with him at the catch point, while outside cornerbacks covering creates a mismatch elsewhere.

He is a willing and effective run blocker. Loveland can come into an offense and help create soft edges for the running backs to attack in the wide zone game. He does a good job working off the line of scrimmage into the second level of the defense and on the perimeter to defensive backs.

However, Loveland is a tall and big-framed prospect. His pad level in the run game can be a concern. Dropping his hips and anchoring will assist him in owning the point of attack. Loveland is still a young player who is growing into his frame. Adding more muscle and weight will only increase his run-blocking and play strength after the catch in the passing game. Continuing to clean up concentration drops is important for his ability to earn the trust of NFL coaches and quarterbacks.

Overall, Colston Loveland is a natural pass catcher and playmaker at the tight end position. His athleticism, change of direction, and movement skills are impressive. He suffers from being in run-first offenses with incomplete quarterback play. His best football is ahead of him, and he expects to be a better pro than a college player.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'5"

WEIGHT: 245

ARM: 32¾"

HAND: 10"

WINGSPAN: N/A

40-YARD DASH: N/A

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: N/A

BROAD: N/A

POSITIVES

— Plus-level athlete for his size, good post-catch burst and acceleration.

— Outstanding catch radius to attack the ball at its highest point.

— Good route runner from a multiple alignments.

— Vertical speed to threaten the seam off play-action.

NEGATIVES

— Concentration drops from the 2023 season.

— Working on maintaining proper leverage and pad-level in the run game.

— Continuing to mature and grow into his body, adding muscle to his frame.

NOTES

— Born April 9, 2004

— 4-star recruit in the 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2022 Offensive and Co-Special Teams Rookie of the Year

— 2023 First-Team All-Big Ten

— Former HS basketball player with a 79-inch wingspan

GRADE: 8.1 (Year 1 Starter — Late 1st Round)

OVERALL RANK: 13

POSITION RANK: TE1

PRO COMPARISON: Tyler Eifert

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Chicago Bears agreed to a two-year extension with linebacker T.J. Edwards, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The contract is worth $20 million overall and has $16 million guaranteed.

Edwards started in all 17 games and eclipsed 100-plus tackles for the second straight season with Chicago in 2024. His four sacks and 12 tackles for loss were also career highs.

His extension almost equals the contract he originally signed with Chicago did. He got $19.5 million over three years from the team in 2023. His slight pay bump reflects how well he has performed in the Windy City.

The relatively short term of the new deal also works to Edwards' benefit because he can return to free agency in his early 30s, a time when he might be able to secure one more sizable payout.

For the Bears, handing $10 million annually to a linebacker with 573 tackles and five interceptions over the last four years is a good piece of business. Edwards has missed just one game over that span as well.

This continues general manager Ryan Poles' more aggressive approach with quarterback Caleb Williams only in the second year of his rookie contract.

Star cornerback Jaylon Johnson and wide receiver D.J. Moore got paid last offseason. This spring, Poles committed $257.1 million on extensions and free-agent contracts.

The spending may not be over, either.

Chicago acquired two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney in March, and he's only a year out from free agency. With Edwards' status confirmed, it stands to reason Poles could turn his attention toward locking down Thuney.

Between hiring Ben Johnson as head coach and shoring up some weaknesses within the roster, the Bears have had a strong offseason. Wednesday's agreement with Edwards continues that.

Building friendships takes a back seat to winning in the eyes of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.

The second-year signal-caller told Esquire's Brian O'Keefe he respects his fellow players but isn't all that interested in getting to know them away from the field.

"I think the NFL game has become very friendly, and I don’t necessarily want to be friends, because I want to keep that competitive advantage," he said.

This perhaps provides some more context behind a moment that caught the attention of fans last fall.

Following the Houston Texans' 19-13 win over the Bears, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud approached Williams on the field, and the 2024 No. 1 overall pick didn't look like he wanted to make small talk.

1️⃣8️⃣ 🤝 7️⃣

Bright futures ahead. @CJ7STROUD @CALEBcsw pic.twitter.com/oefktrH9fv

— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2024

Athletes across the sports spectrum have often modeled their approach off that of Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. Thanks to his single-minded focus, the Hall of Famer didn't make a ton of friends in the NBA but did win six titles and claim the GOAT moniker.

Maybe that attitude will serve Williams well in the NFL too.

If not, he might want to consider going in the opposite direction and try killing his peers with kindness.

Kyler Gordon is now reportedly the NFL's highest-paid slot cornerback.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gordon and the Chicago Bears agreed to a three-year, $40 million extension on Sunday. The deal includes $31.25 million guaranteed and keeps him with the Bears through the 2028 season.

Gordon was entering the final year of his rookie contract and was set to earn $3.656 million in 2025.

Gordon, a second-round pick out of Washington in 2022, has turned into a key member of the Bears' defense over the last three seasons. He's recorded more than 60 tackles in each season of his career and racked up a career-high 75 tackles in 2024. He also added five passes defended, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and half of a sack.

At the NFL's league meetings earlier this month, general manager Ryan Poles expressed the importance of signing Gordon to an extension this offseason.

“That will still be a priority. For me, in our exit meetings at the end of last season, I told all the guys in terms of future, if it was contracts, or coming back, or anything like that, the important thing is I’ve got to get with our new coaching staff and kind of see how the different players fit based on what scheme we’re going to be running," Poles said. "We’ve been able to have those conversations, and I know Kyler is a guy that we want to be a part of this moving forward. So the timing of that, I’m not sure how that all is going work out, but that is a priority.”

"That'll still be a priority ... Kyler is a guy we want part of this moving forward."

Ryan Poles on the potential of a Kyler Gordon contract extension. pic.twitter.com/fjJi15mJGF

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 1, 2025

Now Poles has secured Gordon for three more years, and he'll look to get the best out of the cornerback as the Bears continue their rebuild.

Chicago struggled in 2024 as it went 5-12, but the Bears made some strides on defense. They posted the 13th-best scoring defense, allowing 21.8 points per game with the help of Gordon.

Chicago will enter the 2025 season under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and look to improve further on the defensive end.

The Chicago Bears are reportedly enamored by an NFL draft prospect who they likely won't have the chance to select with the No. 10 pick.

ESPN's Matt Miller reported that if Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is still available when the Bears are on the clock, the team won't hesitate to select him.

"The Bears love Ashton Jeanty, according to scouts around the league who've observed the team's activity this offseason," Miller wrote. "So the Boise State running back could be the pick at No. 10 … if he's still around."

Unfortunately for Chicago, it's unlikely that the teams with the first nine picks would pass up on the opportunity to select Jeanty. ESPN's Ryan McFadden noted that the speedster "seems like the most logical" choice for the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the No. 6 pick.

Earlier this week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Jeanty was among the prospects invited to Las Vegas for a pre-draft visit with the Raiders. General manager John Spytek was seen in attendance at Jeanty's pro day last month, so the franchise appears to have significant interest in the 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up.

Still, there's a sliver of hope for the Bears. B/R's NFL Scouting Department predicted in its latest mock draft that Jeanty would fall right into Chicago's lap at the No. 10 pick. Fans will be anxious to see how things play out when the first round begins on April 24.

Everything on paper suggests the Chicago Bears may finally be ready to turn the corner and become a contender in 2025.

But Jaylon Johnson isn't listening to the hype.

"Hype don't win you no games," the cornerback told reporters Tuesday. "I've been here a minute. I've been through the hype. And we don't win no games. So, for me, if it's not about winning, quite honestly, I don't really care about it. …

"I've been through it too many times, man. I'm going to get excited when we win in November. And December. And when we change some things and get into the playoffs. That's when I'm going to get excited."

Jaylon Johnson is tired of the hype. He's ready to win.

"Hype don't win you no games.. If it's not about winning, quite honestly, I don't really care about it." pic.twitter.com/uIcxux2d5Q

— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) April 8, 2025

Johnson may not be buying into the hype at this point, but Chicago made waves this offseason by hiring head coach Ben Johnson and bolstering the offensive line with the additions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson.

Offensive line was a major priority coming into the offseason, and revamping the group puts quarterback Caleb Williams in a much better position to take a leap in his second season. So does working with Johnson, who helped the Detroit Lions lead the league in scoring last season as their offensive coordinator.

Still, there was plenty of hype last season as well after a 4-2 start with Williams under center as the No. 1 overall pick. And then everything changed with a stunning loss to the Washington Commanders that ended on a Hail Mary.

Chicago lost 10 straight before finishing its season with a win over the rival Green Bay Packers, so Johnson stressed he isn't going to get too caught up in the early season developments.

"I'll see in camp to start," he said. "And that's when the real ball will show up. And then really through our season, we'll see. Because things may start off rocky in the beginning and we'll figure it out and things change throughout the back half or the middle of the season. Or we start off hot and then s--- the bed. So, I mean, it kind of depends. … To me, it's about winning. And I feel like if we go out there and we win on Sundays I'll feel good about everybody."

Johnson has been with the Bears his entire career since they selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. While the two-time Pro Bowler has been excellent on an individual level, the team is yet to finish with a winning record during his tenure.

Perhaps that will change in 2025, but Johnson isn't going to let the offseason headlines overshadow the work that has to be done.

The Chicago Bears cycled through four different people filling the offensive coordinator role the past two seasons (Luke Getsy, Shane Waldron, Thomas Brown and Chris Beatty) and need an excellent play-caller as much as any team in the NFL.

Fortunately for the NFC North club, it may have found one in new head coach Ben Johnson.

"Ben Johnson took total advantage of the four-down game-management approach because he's a really, really good play caller, an evil genius, really," an NFL executive said in a Thursday piece by Mike Sando of The Athletic.

"Losing him would almost be like the Rams losing Sean McVay."

The Detroit Lions did lose him after he excelled for three straight seasons as the offensive coordinator. Detroit finished in the top five in the league in points and yards in each of his three seasons as the O.C. and led the league in scoring this past season.

Johnson's ability to get the most from his offense is a major reason the Lions reached the NFC Championship Game during the 2023 campaign and finished with the conference's best record in 2024 at 15-2.

The @Lions 💙 a trick play

📺: #DETvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/bbSRcTSCU3

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024

After helping turn things around in Detroit, he will be tasked with leading a Bears team that hasn't enjoyed a winning record since 2018.

The turnaround may have already started, as the Bears revamped their offensive line this offseason with the additions of Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman. That figures to give second-year quarterback Caleb Williams far more time to throw, which should help DJ Moore and Rome Odunze get open downfield.

Johnson's ability to scheme them open as an "evil genius" play caller should also help the offense take significant strides in 2025 and beyond.

And if it does, the playoffs should be the expectation in the Windy City as soon as the head coach's first season.