There was no love lost between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions organizations last season. After Ben Johnson decided to stay within the division, going from Detroit’s offensive coordinator to Chicago’s head coach, the rivalry became much more palpable. And despite Chicago winning the NFC North title in 2025, they lost both of their matchups to the Lions by a combined score of 71-40.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, motivation will be running high as both teams look to solidify their rosters and prove their worth next season. In the spirit of rivalry, ESPN senior writer Bill Barnwell posted an article urging Chicago to consider a draft trade that could greatly help them and potentially hurt the Lions.
Chicago Bears Urged to Trade For The 16th Overall Pick
In his article about which teams should trade up or down in the first round, Barnwell suggested the Bears move up from the 25th overall pick by packaging it with the pick they acquired in the DJ Moore trade.
“By the Jimmy Johnson chart, packaging No. 25 with the 60th pick they landed from the Bills should be enough to get the Bears up to No. 16, where the Jets could be interested in trading down and adding more selections,” Barnwell suggests.
“They would also jump the Lions in the process, a division rival who should be looking at edge rushers with their first selection. There’s nothing wrong with staying put and holding on to both second-rounders, of course, but this could be an opportunity for Poles to both hit his biggest position of need and steal an opportunity away from a divisional foe in the process.”
The Bears had the eighth-lowest graded pass rush unit in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus. The Bears attempted to address the pass rush through free agency, where they were reportedly very active in trade talks for Maxx Crosby before that situation faded. The Bears have failed to add any true edge talent externally so far, which leaves the draft as their best option. However, if they choose to sit outside the top 20, they risk missing out on a game-changing player.
Barnwell’s trade pitch is also risky given that it also cost them their number one receiver from last season, but the prize at the end may justify it. Ryan Heckman of Bears Goggles On ideated on potential prospects Chicago could snag with the 16th overall pick.
“At no. 16, the Bears probably won’t have a chance to get Rueben Bain Jr., who could drop close to pick 10, if not just a pick or two after that,” Heckman states.
“But, Chicago would be well within range to grab someone like Akheem Mesidor, Keldric Faulk, or T.J. Parker. You could even throw in Zion Young and Cashius Howell as well, depending upon where Ryan Poles might have them on his board.”
Beyond adding an electric player to their team, they could also poach Detroit’s potential pick.
Bears Could Snag the Lions’ Choice At Edge-Rusher
GettyDetroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson recorded 8 total tackles and 2 sacks against the Chicago Bears in 2025.
Unfortunately for Chicago, there is no way they could steal Detroit’s number one pass rush threat in the form of Aidan Hutchinson. However, leap-frogging them would allow them to potentially take whoever they’re poised to select to be their number two option.
It’s likely that with the Jets on the board, Detroit will have a range of players they would enjoy selecting. But with Chicago occupying that pick instead, any move they make would feel more like an opportunity lost for the Lions. Perhaps Chicago should consider the trade for that impact alone. All jokes aside, the draft is nine days away, and it remains to be seen how aggressive the Bears choose to be as they attempt to add the final pieces to their Super Bowl hopeful roster.
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