The Chicago Bears have already made their mark on the 2025 NFL offseason with a flurry of moves, most notably ushering in the Caleb Williams era by selecting the USC quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. But while the franchise’s future finally appears to be on solid footing under center for the first time in decades, there remains one critical question looming over general manager Ryan Poles’ next steps: How will the Bears continue to build around Williams and set him up for success from Day 1?
According to the latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft from ESPN’s draft analyst Matt Miller, Chicago will waste no time in answering that question. With the team’s second first-round pick—acquired from the Carolina Panthers in last year’s trade that ultimately sent Bryce Young to Charlotte and Williams to the Windy City—the Bears are projected to land one of the most electrifying playmakers in the country: Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Egbuka, who is widely considered one of the most pro-ready receivers in the 2025 class, brings an elite combination of speed, route-running polish, and high football IQ to the table. For a Bears team that already boasts D.J. Moore and recently added Keenan Allen to the mix, drafting Egbuka would instantly give Williams a legitimate three-headed monster at wide receiver—something that’s been practically unheard of in Chicago for decades.
While some analysts have debated whether the Bears might go the offensive line route to further protect their prized rookie quarterback, Miller’s mock suggests that Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus could instead opt to overwhelm defenses with a deep, dynamic passing attack. And on paper, the strategy makes a lot of sense.
At just 21 years old, Egbuka already has a long resume of big-game performances in the Big Ten, including standout showings against Michigan, Penn State, and Notre Dame. He’s battled injuries during his final season in Columbus, but when healthy, he’s shown flashes of being every bit as dangerous as his former teammate Marvin Harrison Jr., who went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 2 overall in this same mock.
What sets Egbuka apart is not just his physical tools—though those are impressive. He’s 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, and runs a reported 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. But more importantly, he’s a technician. He understands spacing, can line up anywhere on the field, and has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage. Pair that with Williams’ rare ability to extend plays and throw from any angle or platform, and the Bears could be looking at an instant impact duo capable of torching NFL defenses from the jump.
There’s also a cultural fit here that shouldn’t be overlooked. Egbuka is known for his work ethic and professionalism, two traits that would serve him well in a Bears locker room that is still trying to shed the losing culture that has plagued the franchise for much of the past 20 years. Williams, for all his flair and charisma, is also known as a grinder behind the scenes. Getting both young stars on the same timeline developmentally could be a masterstroke for Poles as he continues to reshape the team’s identity.
But perhaps the biggest reason why Egbuka to Chicago makes so much sense is because of what it represents: a full-throttle commitment to offense.
For decades, the Bears have been defined by defense. From the ’85 Monsters of the Midway to the Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs era, to the Khalil Mack years, Chicago has always been more comfortable winning games 17-13 than 35-31. But that philosophy hasn’t kept pace with the modern NFL. And it certainly hasn’t produced playoff wins.
The decision to draft Williams signaled a tectonic shift in philosophy. Adding Egbuka at No. 9—or whatever slot they ultimately hold—would double down on that shift in a way that would be impossible to ignore.
Of course, there are other factors at play. The Bears could decide to trade back if they receive a compelling offer. They might fall in love with an offensive tackle prospect like Notre Dame’s Joe Alt or Alabama’s J.C. Latham. But as of now, Egbuka appears to be the most tantalizing option available if they want to weaponize their young quarterback as soon as possible.
It’s also worth noting that Egbuka has already drawn comparisons to some of the best slot/versatile receivers in the league, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and even a young Cooper Kupp. In Chicago, he might not need to be the WR1 right away—that’s still Moore’s job—but his ability to produce on Day 1 as a WR2 or WR3 is rare for a rookie. His plug-and-play potential could help smooth the learning curve for Williams, giving him multiple trustworthy targets on every down.
Keenan Allen, for all his savvy and production, is 33 years old and in the final year of his contract. His presence is invaluable for a young quarterback, especially as a short-to-intermediate security blanket. But Allen isn’t a long-term solution. Egbuka would be.
And don’t forget tight end Cole Kmet, who continues to develop into one of the league’s more reliable red zone threats. Throw in running back Roschon Johnson, who flashed at times as a rookie, and the Bears suddenly look like a team that could rank in the top half of the NFL in offensive production as early as 2025.
This is uncharted territory for a fanbase that has long suffered through an endless carousel of quarterbacks, receivers, and offensive coordinators. But that’s also what makes the Egbuka pick so enticing. It would signal, loud and clear, that the Bears are no longer interested in fielding an average offense. They want fireworks. They want explosion. They want to score 30 points per game and dare teams to keep up.
The city of Chicago is ready for that. The front office appears ready for that. And with Williams and potentially Egbuka in the fold, it might not just be a pipe dream anymore.
There’s always risk involved in projecting draft picks this far out. Injuries, combine performances, and front-office shakeups can all change the calculus. But for now, the scenario painted in this latest mock draft feels like the most optimistic vision of the Bears’ future that fans have had in a generation.
Even with two top-10 picks, Chicago must execute flawlessly. They cannot afford to miss. But if they hit on both—landing Williams and pairing him with a player like Egbuka—it could go down as one of the most transformative drafts in franchise history.
The Bears have long been starved for offensive identity. Too often, they’ve been a team chasing ghosts: trying to recreate the defense of 1985 or trying to build around quarterbacks who were never quite the answer. With Caleb Williams, they might finally have their guy. And if they get him a running mate like Emeka Egbuka, they might finally have the offense to match.
It’s still just a mock draft. It’s still just a projection. But in a city that’s waited this long for a quarterback and an offense worthy of primetime, even the possibility is enough to spark belief.
And maybe that’s the biggest win of all—for now.
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