Finally, the Senior Bowl is here!
The annual college football prospect showcase is a must-see for fans wanting to get an early look at some future NFL players — including those whose names will likely be connected to the Chicago Bears in the coming days, weeks, and months leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft.
HOW TO WATCH THE 2025 SENIOR BOWL
TV: NFL Network
Kickoff time: 1:30 p.m. CT
Site: Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
ROSTERS: National Team, American Team
Here are some notable prospects who play positions the Bears should prioritize fillings this offseason.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Anthony Belton (North Carolina State offensive tackle), Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota offensive tackle), Willie Lampkin (North Carolina interior offensive lineman), Clay Webb (Jacksonville State guard/center), Grey Zabel (North Dakota State guard/tackle/center),
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College edge), Mike Green (Marshall edge), Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M edge), David Walker (Central Arkansas edge)
OFFENSIVE SKILL POSITION PLAYERS: Elijah Arroyo (Miami tight end), Tez Johnson (Oregon wide receiver), Devin Neal (Kansas running back), Arian Smith (Georgia wide receiver), Mason Taylor (LSU tight end), Kyle Williams (Washington State wide receiver)
MORE: A Look at the Chicago Bears’ Senior Bowl History and More Prospects Worth Watching
I am going to keep writing about Chicago’s needs along the offensive line until I am forcibly stopped from doing so by an editor or upper management. This team needs to fix its offensive line in the worst way. I fully expect that quarterback Caleb Williams will have at least three new starters blocking for him by the time Week 1 kicks off in September. But I also recognize that there is a non-zero chance that the Bears could have as many as four new starters on the line in 2025. And if that is what it takes for this team to escape from its spot among the NFL worst offensive line units, then so be it.
The defensive line is a not-so-sneaky position of need for the Bears this offseason. And with Dennis Allen on board as the team’s new defensive coordinator, it would make sense to see the team make a splash addition at defensive end this offseason. Perhaps it will come in free agency. However, I would not be opposed to the Bears using one of their first three picks on drafting a defensive end who could start on Day 1. Plug-and-play defensive linemen don’t grow on trees. But there seems to be a sweet spot on Day 2 of the NFL Draft where the Bears could snatch up a potential starter on the offensive and/or defensive line with their second-round selections.
Chicago’s offense was lacking speed last year, so I want to keep an eye on players at running back and wide receiver who could help fill a gap at those respective positions. Tight end was also a position group that went underutilized by the previous regimes offensive play-callers. Perhaps resetting the room and adding a fresh face to the mix could spark something in 2025.
