NFL Draft 2026: What time to expect the Bears’ pick in the first round on Thursday
Windy City Gridiron • • sports
Key Points:
- The 2026 NFL Draft begins tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT, with only eight minutes allotted between first-round picks; the Chicago Bears are expected to pick 25th overall around 10:20 p.m. CT, though timing may vary.
- The Bears, coming off an NFC North title and a Wild Card playoff win, will pick later in the first round due to their successful season, making it harder to find a game-changing player at 25.
- Fans can follow the Bears' first-round picks live on 2nd City Gridiron, hosted by Bill Zimmeman starting at 7 p.m. CT, for Bears-focused draft coverage.
- Despite recent success and the addition of key players like Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, FanDuel Sportsbook gives the Bears +1300 odds to win the NFC in 2026 and sets their win total over/under at 9.5, reflecting moderate expectations.
- It remains to be seen if a strong draft performance will significantly impact the Bears’ betting odds or perceptions for the upcoming season.
