The Chicago Bears will look very different offensively in 2025. General Manager Ryan Poles and new head coach Ben Johnson have started by rebuilding the offensive line, adding veterans Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson via trade, and agreeing to terms with Drew Dalman.
Caleb Williams will head into his second season with much-improved protection, so where will the Bears go in the 2025 NFL Draft? ESPN NFL Analyst Field Yates predicts the team will add a big-name tight end at No. 10.
Bears Predicted To Add Versatile Penn State Tight End
Williams had a roller-coaster rookie year, throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He was ranked No. 33 in PFSN’s QB+ metric, and his advanced numbers were not good.
He finished with a -0.05 EPA/DB (31st), a 30.5 third-down conversion rate (36th), and 5.5 nYPA (37th). He was better in relative terms from a clean pocket, ranking 24th (0.18 EPA/DB), than when pressured (32nd, -0.48 EPA/DB).
Only six interceptions and a 3.3 TD-to-INT rate are positive numbers to take away from the season. Williams will hopefully retain that ratio while improving other elements of his game in Johnson’s offense, but a new tight end security blanket wouldn’t hurt.
Cole Kmet was fourth on the team in receptions (47) and yards (474) last season, but Yates thinks Chicago will add Penn State’s Tyler Warren in his latest mock draft.
Yates wrote, “Is tight end a primary need for Chicago? No. Is it easy to imagine new coach Ben Johnson dialing up some incredible concepts and play designs revolving around Warren? Oh, yes.
The offensive line would have been the clear priority for the Bears, but they totally revamped their interior by trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and then also signing center Drew Dalman.
“The trenches already look much better on paper. So, let’s get Warren, who is tremendous after the catch and could help quarterback Caleb Williams in a big way, into the top 10.”
Warren would be an awesome addition to Johnson’s trick play-heavy offense. At the 2025 Scouting Combine, he measured 6’5 1/2″ and 256 pounds and is one of the most versatile players in the 2025 Draft.
He exploded in 2024 with 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, and 8 receiving touchdowns. He became the focal point of Penn State’s offense, leading them to the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Adding Warren is an intriguing thought for the Bears, but PFSN’s latest mock draft has them going in a different direction.
PFSN’s David Bearman predicts Chicago will continue working on its offensive line by taking tackle Will Campbell at No. 10, and Warren will go to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 14.
The Penn State product is considered the top tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft and is likely to come off the board within the first 15 picks. Chicago selecting Warren is a win-now move, but Johnson and Poles might not feel the same way.