{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreieqj7a6d6kileybcc3ew2a6rtkziipg5mftiqepjw3tzepff52egy",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzysmqe3c62"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiaakge4mwfhkfz265g74qn3ql7ugy2eae5v2t5zxt4eb3zwoyj6t4"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 173035
  },
  "path": "/bears/2026/04/21/bears-nfl-draft-defense-general-manager-ryan-poles-once-did-offense-edge-rusher-defensive-tackle-safety-thursday-round-1-pittsburgh",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-21T21:05:36.779Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears\" target=\"_blank\" >Bears</a> quarterback Caleb Williams spent part of Monday looking ahead.</p><p>Three of last year’s <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/halas-intrigue/2026/04/21/bears-nfl-draft-preview-podcast-halas-intrigue\" target=\"_blank\" >draft</a> picks became some of his most trusted weapons on offense as rookies. Their connection with the quarterback only figures to grow as they spent the next few seasons together. The same goes for receiver Rome Odunze, who was drafted the same year as Williams.</p><p>“It’s going to be really fun to go out there and grow together,” Williams said.</p><p>Hopefully, Ryan Poles took notice of Williams’ words. Because the general manager needs to do for his defense this week what the Bears did for their offense during last year’s draft. That means taking a premium player in Round 1, yes, but addressing almost every defensive position over the course of the three-day draft, which starts Thursday.</p><div class=\"RelatedList Enhancement\" data-module data-align-center> <div class=\"RelatedList-title\">Related</div> <ul class=\"RelatedList-items\"> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/halas-intrigue/2026/04/21/bears-nfl-draft-preview-podcast-halas-intrigue\" >Halas Intrigue podcast: Bears draft preview</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p>That’s what happened on offense last year, when, after taking tight end Colston Loveland in Round 1, the Bears landed standouts at wide receiver (Luther Burden) and running back (Kyle Monangai) plus help at both tackle (Ozzy Trapilo) and guard (Luke Newman). The only position group the Bears didn’t touch was quarterback.</p><p>Poles, as usual, was vague in explaining the team’s direction Tuesday, saying he had confidence the Bears front office was ready for any scenario that pops up with the first 24 picks Thursday.</p><p>“If things start to shift and move, we're agile enough to make adjustments,” hes aid. If that's moving up, moving back, we'll be ready for anything that comes our way.”</p><p>Staying exactly where they are Thursday and drafting an edge rusher 25<sup>th</sup> should be the first piece of the puzzle. The Bears have, to this point, done nothing to fix their biggest defensive problem. They finished second-to-last in pass-rush win rate last year, ahead of only the woeful Bengals. They boast only one player, Montez Sweat, who ranked in Pro Football Focus’ top 60 pass-rushing edge players — and he’s No. 39.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center><div class=\"Enhancement-item\"> <div class=\"ExternalContent-wrapper\" data-embed> <iframe width=\"200\" height=\"113\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/pGQWQiq3l7Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen title=\"Faulk You Up 🐅 | Keldric Faulk NFL Draft Report & Scouting Profile\"></iframe> </div> </div></div><p>Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, who is only 20, is among the edge rushers who could be available at No. 25. ESPN’s projection system predicts Faulk to post 23½ sacks in his first five seasons in the NFL. The Bears would surely take that — in the last 30 years, the team has drafted one player who went on to more sacks through their first five years: Alex Brown. Other edge rushers who could be available when they pick include Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Missouri’s Zion Young, Miami’s Akheem Mesidor and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell. All are flawed — Parker had only five sacks last year, Young was part of the Michigan brawl while at Michigan State, Mesidor is 25 and Howell has short arms —but that’s why they may be available 25 picks into <br>the draft.</p><p>Taking an edge rusher first would free the Bears up to fill three of their four position groups on Day 2 of the draft. Poles has two second-round picks and one third-rounder with which to maneuver.</p><p>The Bears need another defensive tackle to challenge Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett. Clemson’s Peter Woods, Florida’s Caleb Banks, Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter and Iowa State’s Domonique Orange could be available in Round 2.</p><p>The safety position opposite Coby Bryant is the Bears' lone open starting job. Rather than consider Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren  or Oregon’s Dillon Theineman in Round 1, they should be able to find one in Round 3 or later. Since 2010, there have been 13 instances of a player drafted in Round 3 or later being named an all-pro safety.</p><p>The Bears could take a cornerback to challenge the mercurial Tyrique Stevenson or a linebacker to stash in case they walk away from T.J. Edwards next offseason for a paltry $2.3 million dead cap hit.</p><p>The best part of Poles’ draft last year was how he was able to stack impact offensive players at different position from round to round. He’ll have to do the same this year on defense, no matter which order he chooses.</p><p></p><bsp-list-loadmore class=\"PageListH\" data-module data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-bc0001\" name=\"list-bc0001\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears\" target=\"{borderColor=#dfdfdf, pageNumber=1, inverseColors=false, footerBgColor=#000000, bodyFont=font-3, showListNumbers=false, imagePositionHorizontal=null, rteBodyFont=font-3, headerBottomBorderColor=#111010, titleUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears, subTitle=null, stickyHeader=true, listTitleColor=#000000, tableCellBorderColor=#ccd1d5, relatedListFont=font-1, hideAuthors=true, tertiaryTextColor=#6c6c6c, buttonHoverTextColor=#ffffff, tableFont=font-1, pagination=[{body=[Next Page], href=?p=2, _template=/link/Link.hbs, contentId=null, pianoSectionSlug=null, target=null}], carouselAutoPlay=false, promoTitleFont=font-2, _styledTemplate=/page/list/PageListH.hbs, ctaButtonText=[], primaryTextColor=#2a2a2a, buttonTextColor=#ffffff, linkTextColor=#1a1a1a, hideTitles=false, pageCount=6866, footerLinkColor=#ffffff, carouselSpeed=null, buttonHoverBgColor=#a91d23, rteHeadingFont=font-1, secondaryColor=#656565, hideCategories=true, _template=/page/list/includes/PageList-header.hbs, font3=Arial, font4=Source-serif-4, ctaUrl=null, hideImage=false, suppressPagination=true, footerLinkHoverColor=#d3242c, hideAudioPlayback=false, description=[], showSecondItemMedia=false, listColumns234=null, footerTextColor=#ffffff, title=Latest on the Bears, headerSecondaryBgColor=#000000, primaryTextColorInverse=#ffffff, titleColor=null, ampLink=null, listHeaderPosition=null, hideDescriptions=false, showActionBar=true, linkHoverColor=#d3242c, buttonBgColor=#d3242c, count=20597, ctaTarget=null, anchorId=list-bc0001, promoButtonText=null, backgroundColor=null, headerSecondaryTextColor=#ffffff, pullQuoteIcon=[{image=null, narrowImage=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=null}], listTitleFont=font-2, headlineFont=font-1, promoDescriptionFont=font-3, primaryColor=#d3242c, items=[{type=Image, url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/halas-intrigue/2026/04/21/bears-nfl-draft-preview-podcast-halas-intrigue, anchorId=promo-760000, _styledTemplate=null, category=[{items=[Halas Intrigue]}], imageAlignment=null, isFeatured=false, title=Halas Intrigue podcast: Bears draft preview, description=[{items=[According to the company line, the Bears like everybody. ]}], categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/halas-intrigue, media=[{ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/f0/04/b6ee39484b92bc061efb160e9d1e/ap25121087096534.jpg, width=6000, height=4000}, alt=Former Bears player Dez White announces a pick during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. , image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/f0/04/b6ee39484b92bc061efb160e9d1e/ap25121087096534.jpg, width=6000, height=4000}}], publishDate=April 21, 2026 03:08 PM, target=null, primaryMediaType=null, wordCount=48, ampLink=null, authors=[{authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/patrick-finley, bio=[{items=[Patrick Finley covers the Bears and the NFL for the Sun-Times after previous stops in Arizona, Florida and California.]}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, media=[{ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=patrick-finley-0.jpg, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/a8/3e/6853c67f16af2c0c2ea207670528/patrick-finley-0.jpg, width=512, height=512}, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/a8/3e/6853c67f16af2c0c2ea207670528/patrick-finley-0.jpg, width=512, height=512}}], jobTitle=[{items=[Chicago Bears reporter]}], name=[{items=[Patrick Finley]}]}, {bio=[{items=[Jason Lieser covers the Chicago Bears for the Chicago Sun-Times.]}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/jason-lieser, jobTitle=[{items=[Chicago Bears reporter]}], name=[{items=[Jason Lieser]}], media=[{image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/db/45/4fa7d0e60b81cf16ace05e7c41e9/f5kj4hj-400x400-0.jpg, width=512, height=512}, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/db/45/4fa7d0e60b81cf16ace05e7c41e9/f5kj4hj-400x400-0.jpg, width=512, height=512}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=Headshot of Chicago Bears reporter Jason Lieser}]}], audio=[], timestamp=1776802090000, audioDuration=null, _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs}, {type=Image, anchorId=promo-760001, media=[{narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/9f/4e/b45f4c64486d9dec5adb9ddc835d/bears-stadium-rendering-01.jpg, width=1920, height=1080}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=Renderings of the proposed Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. , image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/9f/4e/b45f4c64486d9dec5adb9ddc835d/bears-stadium-rendering-01.jpg, width=1920, height=1080}}], _styledTemplate=null, imageAlignment=null, isFeatured=false, url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2026/04/20/bears-stadium-proposed-legislation-arlington-heights-property-tax-relief-illinois-homeowners-northwest-indiana-site, wordCount=751, authors=[{media=[{alt=Early_and Often_Spielman.JPG, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/90/45/f68f56954905b5705dec49d0bf36/early-and-often-spielman.JPG, width=5760, height=3840}, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/90/45/f68f56954905b5705dec49d0bf36/early-and-often-spielman.JPG, width=5760, height=3840}}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/fran-spielman, bio=[{items=[Fran Spielman is the Sun-Times City Hall reporter who recently celebrated her 40-year anniversary at the Sun-Times and her 50-year anniversary in the Chicago media. She has covered every Chicago mayor since the transition from legendary Mayor Richard J. Daley to Michael Bilandic.]}], name=[{items=[Fran Spielman]}], jobTitle=[{items=[City Hall reporter]}]}, {bio=[{items=[Sfondeles covers the Trump administration, the Illinois congressional delegation and federal races. She spent much of the pandemic in Washington, D.C. — covering the White House and co-authoring the West Wing Playbook for Politico. She also covered the White House and Democratic politics and policy as a politics correspondent for Insider. Sfondeles joined the Sun-Times in 2007, covering politics, transportation, crime and sports — and returned to the newspaper in 2022.]}], name=[{items=[Tina Sfondeles]}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, jobTitle=[{items=[National political reporter]}], media=[{alt=Tina-cropped_edited (3).jpg, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/88/ff/10809b3b41bbaf62b60c27b8bb16/tina-cropped-edited-3.jpg, width=1984, height=2372}, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/88/ff/10809b3b41bbaf62b60c27b8bb16/tina-cropped-edited-3.jpg, width=1984, height=2372}}], _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/tina-sfondeles}], target=null, primaryMediaType=null, category=[{items=[Bears stadium]}], publishDate=April 20, 2026 04:56 PM, title=Lawmakers sweeten pot to keep Bears in Illinois, with stadium bill linked to statewide property tax relief, categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium, ampLink=null, description=[{items=[The Bears continue to weigh whether to build a stadium in Arlington Heights or Northwest Indiana. A new property tax relief element to a measure that would allow the Bears to renegotiate their property taxes with the northwest suburb is seen as essential in getting support from lawmakers outside of Chicago, including Republicans.]}], audio=[], audioDuration=null, _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs, timestamp=1776722195000}, {type=Image, description=[{items=[The Bears made long-term plans by signing Bryant, fresh off winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks, to a three-year deal after letting Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker leave in free agency.]}], publishDate=April 20, 2026 04:28 PM, _styledTemplate=null, imageAlignment=null, isFeatured=false, timestamp=1776720480000, media=[{alt=Rams Seahawks Football, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/f4/d1/f1405c6644198f8e129016d68dac/ap26030722488992.jpg, width=4784, height=3189}, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/f4/d1/f1405c6644198f8e129016d68dac/ap26030722488992.jpg, width=4784, height=3189}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs}], anchorId=promo-770000, url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/04/20/bears-should-count-on-coby-bryant-to-carry-them-at-safety-rather-than-sink-major-draft-capital-into-position, target=null, primaryMediaType=null, category=[{items=[Bears]}], categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears, ampLink=null, authors=[{name=[{items=[Jason Lieser]}], jobTitle=[{items=[Chicago Bears reporter]}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/jason-lieser, bio=[{items=[Jason Lieser covers the Chicago Bears for the Chicago Sun-Times.]}], media=[{image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/db/45/4fa7d0e60b81cf16ace05e7c41e9/f5kj4hj-400x400-0.jpg, width=512, height=512}, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/db/45/4fa7d0e60b81cf16ace05e7c41e9/f5kj4hj-400x400-0.jpg, width=512, height=512}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=Headshot of Chicago Bears reporter Jason Lieser}]}], wordCount=659, audio=[], title=Bears should count on Coby Bryant to carry them at safety rather than sink major draft capital into position, audioDuration=null, _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs}], slimFooter=false, hideHeadline=false, hideDates=true, headerBorderColor=#e9e9e9, ratingCardFont=font-1, titleTarget=null, tableCaptionColor=#626262, mobileCarousel=false, tableEvenRowsBgColor=#f9f8f3, containerTitleFont=font-2, listBorderColor=#dfdfdf, defaultArticleLeadStyle=standard, _parentFiles=[/page/list/includes/PageList-header.hbs]}\">Latest on the Bears</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items\" data-with-borders data-list-loadmore-items> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Halas Intrigue podcast: Bears draft preview\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/halas-intrigue/2026/04/21/bears-nfl-draft-preview-podcast-halas-intrigue\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ff31e03/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5976x4000+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2F04%2Fb6ee39484b92bc061efb160e9d1e%2Fap25121087096534.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/338abd3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5976x4000+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2F04%2Fb6ee39484b92bc061efb160e9d1e%2Fap25121087096534.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Former Bears player Dez White announces a pick during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. \" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/338abd3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5976x4000+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2F04%2Fb6ee39484b92bc061efb160e9d1e%2Fap25121087096534.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/halas-intrigue\" >Halas Intrigue</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/halas-intrigue/2026/04/21/bears-nfl-draft-preview-podcast-halas-intrigue\" >Halas Intrigue podcast: Bears draft preview</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">According to the company line, the Bears like everybody. </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776802090000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/patrick-finley\" >Patrick Finley </a></strong>  and  <strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/jason-lieser\" >Jason Lieser </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"48\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Lawmakers sweeten pot to keep Bears in Illinois, with stadium bill linked to statewide property tax relief\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2026/04/20/bears-stadium-proposed-legislation-arlington-heights-property-tax-relief-illinois-homeowners-northwest-indiana-site\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c2d4790/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1613x1080+153+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F9f%2F4e%2Fb45f4c64486d9dec5adb9ddc835d%2Fbears-stadium-rendering-01.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ecfb056/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1613x1080+153+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F9f%2F4e%2Fb45f4c64486d9dec5adb9ddc835d%2Fbears-stadium-rendering-01.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Renderings of the proposed Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. \" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ecfb056/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1613x1080+153+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F9f%2F4e%2Fb45f4c64486d9dec5adb9ddc835d%2Fbears-stadium-rendering-01.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium\" >Bears stadium</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2026/04/20/bears-stadium-proposed-legislation-arlington-heights-property-tax-relief-illinois-homeowners-northwest-indiana-site\" >Lawmakers sweeten pot to keep Bears in Illinois, with stadium bill linked to statewide property tax relief</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">The Bears continue to weigh whether to build a stadium in Arlington Heights or Northwest Indiana. A new property tax relief element to a measure that would allow the Bears to renegotiate their property taxes with the northwest suburb is seen as essential in getting support from lawmakers outside of Chicago, including Republicans.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776722195000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/fran-spielman\" >Fran Spielman </a></strong>  and  <strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/tina-sfondeles\" >Tina Sfondeles </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"751\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListH-items-item\"><div class=\"PagePromoB\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Bears should count on Coby Bryant to carry them at safety rather than sink major draft capital into position\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/04/20/bears-should-count-on-coby-bryant-to-carry-them-at-safety-rather-than-sink-major-draft-capital-into-position\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b9192e1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4764x3189+20+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff4%2Fd1%2Ff1405c6644198f8e129016d68dac%2Fap26030722488992.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1c40fce/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4764x3189+20+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff4%2Fd1%2Ff1405c6644198f8e129016d68dac%2Fap26030722488992.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Rams Seahawks Football\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1c40fce/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4764x3189+20+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff4%2Fd1%2Ff1405c6644198f8e129016d68dac%2Fap26030722488992.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears\" >Bears</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/04/20/bears-should-count-on-coby-bryant-to-carry-them-at-safety-rather-than-sink-major-draft-capital-into-position\" >Bears should count on Coby Bryant to carry them at safety rather than sink major draft capital into position</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">The Bears made long-term plans by signing Bryant, fresh off winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks, to a three-year deal after letting Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker leave in free agency.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776720480000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/jason-lieser\" >Jason Lieser </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"659\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageList-footer\"> </div> </bsp-list-loadmore><p></p>",
  "title": "Bears GM Ryan Poles needs to draft for his defense the way he once did for offense",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-21T21:47:02.535Z"
}