ESPN Projects Chicago Bears Finally Get Their Star RB In 2026 Draft

Predicting what will happen in a draft a full year before it happens sounds like a losing proposition. There is no telling which players will actually declare and which will stay in school. Teams projected to pick high may not do so because they have a better season than expected. Last but not least, positions that appear to be weaknesses on the roster find unexpected solutions. Still, seeing what the Chicago Bears could be looking at next year is always an interesting thought exercise.

ESPN draft insider Jordan Reid decided to run a projection for how he sees the 2026 event playing out. He sees the Bears picking 17th next year. That would indicate an improvement in their record from last season. The Cincinnati Bengals held that pick this year, and they finished 9-8. That would mark a four-game improvement and the first winning season for Chicago since 2018. As for who they select, it pretty much follows the path many thought it would last month.

17. Chicago Bears
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame*

The Bears didn’t address running back until the seventh round last week (Kyle Monangai), so they could be seeking D’Andre Swift’s successor in 2026. Their 4.0 yards per rush tied for third worst in the NFL last season. Love was electric for the Irish in 2024, averaging 6.9 yards per carry (10th best in the FBS) en route to 1,125 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. He also had 237 receiving yards. He’s an explosive strider, and his body control allows him to fit his 6-foot, 206-pound frame through coin-slot-sized running lanes.

Love to the Chicago Bears would be right up their alley.

Every projection this past spring was that the team would add a franchise back to feature in Ben Johnson’s new offense. Unfortunately, a series of unfortunate sequences saw the board fail to fall their way. Ashton Jeanty went three picks ahead of them in the 1st round. TreVeyon Henderson went one pick ahead of them in the 2nd. On and on it went. The Chicago Bears couldn’t address the position until the 7th round as a result. It disappointed fans, leaving them to wonder how good the running game can be this year.

Love has size and power and is rumored to have 4.44 speed. Thanks to his unique mix of strength, athleticism, and versatility, he’s drawn comparisons to former 49ers superstar Ricky Watters. He still has things to work on, like pass protection, but the ceiling is sky-high going into next year.