Rookies to the Rescue: How the Bears 2026 Draft Class Could Shape Their Season
The 2026 season is nearing, and starting rosters are taking shape. Preseason games have wrapped up, and all teams have had to cut their rosters down. While most teams will remain active before the season starts, most signings will be depth players. When looking at the Chicago Bears roster, it is clear they are embracing a youth movement. Their 2026 draft class is expected to play a crucial role in this season's success.
Rookies Taking Over on Defense
Starting with the Bears, first-round pick Dillon Thieneman will be starting at safety to begin the year. It was always likely, but with questions about secondary depth, he becomes more important. Now, the 22-year-old will be trusted to serve as not only the top safety on the team, but one of the most electric players on the defense. His preseason was solid, as the former Oregon safety always seemed to be around the ball. A good performance would help bring stability to the defense. However, if Thieneman struggles, then the secondary could struggle in pass coverage. If that happens, it could be hard to see the defense having a good year.
Speaking of the secondary, Thieneman is not the only rookie expected to start. Malik Muhammad has played multiple roles throughout the preseason, but he seems to be settling into the nickel cornerback role. The Bears' fourth-round pick has been promising, but still needs to improve his consistency in pass coverage. Kyler Gordon is hurt, and no one knows when he will return, which leaves an open spot in the secondary. The hope was that Muhammad would have time to learn and develop, but now Chicago needs him sooner than expected. They need the 21-year-old to step up and bring stability. Having two rookies starting in the secondary isn't ideal, but they may bring a spark to a weak area of the defense.
Finally, the third defensive rookie expected to have a notable role at the start of the season is Jordan van den Berg. The sixth-round pick has impressed coaches, and many wondered if he would earn a starting spot. When Chicago drafted him, it was thought he would need time to develop. The 24-year-old is a strong athlete but needs to polish the rest of his game. However, with the team trading Gervon Dexter, a role has opened up. The defensive line needs all the help it can get, so trading away last year's starter shows how the team believes in their sixth-round rookie. Even if he does not start, van den Berg will likely see a lot of playing time. It is a lot of pressure on the rookie and will certainly be a storyline to follow in 2026.
Valuable Offensive Depth
The offense is still young in 2026, but it does not appear that any rookies will begin the season as an offensive starter. However, there is still solid depth that was drafted. First, Sam Roush enters the season as the third-string tight end. This role usually does not see too much playing time, but Ben Johnson likes to use multiple tight ends frequently. The unit is loaded, but the third-round pick still offers upside. He is a good blocker but can still be used in the passing game. Chicago's group of large weapons helps create running lanes while making sure defenses respect the pass game. It is not a flashy role, but an important one for the Bears’ offense.
One of the most exciting rookie additions is Zavion Thomas. The Bears' third-round pick has elite athleticism and can provide a massive spark to the offense. In the team's last preseason game, he had five catches for 140 yards and a touchdown. One of the top highlights was a 97-yard touchdown reception on Chicago's first offensive play of the game. The 21-year-old also showed flashes in the return game. It could be hard for him to get consistent playing time over the other young talent, but if he can, it would bring another layer to the offense. Thomas is hard to catch in the open field and is a threat to make a big play whenever he touches the ball.
The Bears will be relying on their young players more than ever in 2026. While the rookies will not be expected to carry the entire team, several of them will have important roles from the start of the season. Thieneman, Muhammad, and van den Berg will have to prove they can handle the pressure on defense, while Roush and Thomas provide valuable depth on offense. If the draft class can make an immediate impact, it could give Chicago the boost they need to compete throughout the season. There will certainly be growing pains, but this group could play a major role in shaping the Bears' 2026 season.
