If last offseason was about rebuilding the Chicago Bears’ offense, this one is shaping up to be about stabilizing and reshaping the defense.

A year ago, Ryan Poles attacked the offensive line from every angle, adding four new starters through a mix of the draft, free agency, and trades. The result was tangible progress. This offseason calls for a similar approach on the other side of the ball, where needs are both obvious and unavoidable.

The defensive line needs help on the edge and inside. Linebacker depth is suddenly uncertain, with Tremaine Edmunds a potential cap casualty and T.J. Edwards coming off a fractured fibula suffered in Chicago’s Wild Card win over Green Bay. And the secondary could look dramatically different, with four safeties (including Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson) all on expiring contracts.

That’s what makes this weekend in Mobile so important.

The Senior Bowl is the Bears’ first real look at the 2026 draft class in an NFL environment, including practices, one-on-ones, interviews, and schematic fits. For Bears fans, it’s also the first chance to start connecting dots between roster holes and potential answers. The game kicks off Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT on NFL Network, but the real work has been happening all week.

Here are some names Bears fans should know.

More Chicago Bears from Bleacher Nation

• Declan Doyle is Leaving the Bears to Become the Ravens Offensive Coordinator

• The NFL Salary Cap is Taking Another Huge Leap in 2026

• Watch Out For Duce Staley as a Chicago Bears RBs Coach Candidate

• 2026 NFL Mock Draft: One Quarterback, a New Bears Target, and a Board Taking Shape

• Ian Cunningham Fallout: New Assistant GM Candidates, Compensatory Picks, More

• WOW! The Vikings Just Fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

• Cunningham, Bieniemy, Reid, ESPN’s Upcoming Super Bowl Blitz, and Other Bears Bullets

Ankin Law: Injury Law Made Personal

Bleacher Nation is proud to partner with Ankin Law, where injury law is made personal. Since 1997, Ankin Law’s dedicated team of 80 attorneys and staff has advocated for justice in personal injury, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and Social Security Disability cases. With compassion at our core, we’re more than legal representation – we’re your allies in recovery.

More Chicago Sports from Bleacher Nation

Chicago Cubs

• The First Sign of Spring Training is On Its Way!

• A’s Signing Shortstop Jacob Wilson to a Seven-Year Extension

• How About Some Very Early ZiPS Standings Projections for 2026?

• There’s Still More Talk About the Red Sox Wanting to Trade for a Cubs Infielder

• Minnesota Twins Separating From Baseball President Derek Falvey on the Eve of Spring Training

• Eli Morgan Signs a Minor League Deal with the Royals, Closing the Book on a Particularly Rough Trade

• Minor Trades Around Baseball, Cubs 40-Man, Early Extensions, and Other Cubs Bullets

Chicago Blackhawks

• Blackhawks Recall Sam Rinzel From Rockford

• Blackhawks vs Blue Jackets — Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

• WATCH: Patrick Kane Becomes the All-Time American-Born NHL Points Leader

• Bedard Benchmarks, History for Kane, the Levshunov Experience, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Chicago Bulls

• 2026 NBA Draft: Prospects to Watch This Week (Jan 30 – Feb 6)

• Is Coby White the Missing Piece for the Detroit Pistons?

• Nikola Goes Full Vucevic, Giddey, Yuki, Giannis Buys Chicago Property, and Other Bulls Bullets