The Chicago Bears offense, man, everyone’s buzzing about them for the 2026 regular season. You’ve got Caleb Williams slinging it, alongside Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, Darnell Wright, and Ben Johnson, forming what looks like a seriously stacked core. But here’s the thing, despite all that talent, the Bears might be looking at a long-term problem on their offensive line, especially at left tackle and at center. They already grabbed Logan Jones early in the 2026 NFL Draft, shifting their focus to tackle down the road. And wouldn’t you know it, ESPN’s Jordan Reid, in his preseason mock draft, just dropped a bombshell prediction: the Bears are snagging an LSU offensive tackle to beef up that line and protect Williams, especially with that massive contract coming for him real soon.
The Monster Gap on the Line
So, Reid’s mock draft has the Bears taking Jordan Seaton, the offensive tackle from LSU, at pick number 16. Now, you might think, “Another offensive lineman? What about all those other needs?” The source points out that they’ve got holes at cornerback, defensive tackle, and edge rusher. But the reason for this pick is crystal clear, and it’s all about protecting their future. Ozzy Trapilo, a key piece, tore his patellar tendon last season. While he’s reportedly trending in the right direction to play this season, that’s a seriously significant injury to overcome, and his future is just too uncertain. Plus, Trapilo and Braxton Jones, frankly, haven’t shown enough to make the Bears confident in locking either of them in as their franchise left tackle, unlike how they’ve committed to Darnell Wright at right tackle. It’s a situation that screams for a long-term solution.
Why Seaton Is The Smart Bet
Bringing in Jordan Seaton makes a ton of sense when you look at the big picture. Reid describes Seaton as an “easy-moving pass protector who plays with excellent balance,” even if he needs to work on his hand placement a bit. The dude is 6-foot-5, 307 pounds, previously at Colorado, and is projected as a top draft pick. He’s got the raw tools that could make him the top offensive player in next year’s class, especially if he dominates that SEC schedule. Yes, on paper, drafting an offensive tackle when you have other defensive needs might seem like a bit of a “boring” pick, as the source says. But with a huge financial investment in Caleb Williams right around the corner, this is exactly the kind of move the Bears should be making. They need to build a successful team for years to come, and that starts with keeping their franchise quarterback upright.
This kind of proactive, long-term thinking around the offensive line is crucial, especially when you’re talking about a quarterback like Caleb Williams and the kind of money he’s about to command. Locking in a future left tackle with Seaton’s potential, even if it means waiting for him to develop, shows the Bears are serious about building something sustainable. It’s not just about winning now, it’s about winning for a decade.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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