Bears hold 25th pick as draft timing tightens and odds murmur of a future impact

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight at 7:00 CT, with Chicago’s 25th overall pick expected around 10:20 p.m. CT if teams use the full eight-minute clocks, though pace may vary. The Bears arrive after winning the NFC North and a Wild Card game, making a top-25 pick less likely to yield an instant difference-maker. Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson have helped shift the franchise’s trajectory as they seek back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2006. FanDuel current odds place Chicago at +1300 to win the NFC and a 9.5-win over/under, departures or moves on draft day could shift these numbers. A Bears-centric first-round broadcast is available on 2nd City Gridiron starting at 7.