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Chicago Bears Predicted to Draft UConn WR Skyler Bell to Boost Offense
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- Chicago Bears Predicted to Draft UConn WR Skyler Bell to Boost Offense
The Chicago Bears were one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 NFL season. After going 5-12 in 2024, Chicago completely turned things around under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, going 11-6, winning the NFC North title and making its first playoff appearance since 2020.
Following their season-ending divisional round loss to the Los Angeles Rams , the Bears quickly got to work in the offseason. One of the biggest moves involved trading wide receiver D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills . While they received a 2026 second-round pick in exchange, quarterback Caleb Williams lost one of his top targets.
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
While Chicago did sign wide receiver Kalif Raymond in free agency, it's still a position that could use some help. To add more talent, ESPN's Matt Miller predicts the Bears will select UConn Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell with the No. 89 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft .
"Building around Caleb Williams should be a priority in every Bears draft," Miller wrote. "Bell is an impressive athlete with the speed and route-running ability to win consistently from the slot."
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After five years at the collegiate level, Bell hit career highs in receptions ( 101 ), yards (1,278) and touchdowns (13) last season. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 81.8, ranking 43rd out of 679 wide receivers.
After his first 1,000-yard season, he showed off solid speed at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.40-second 40-yard dash and a 1.53-second 10-yard split.
While Chicago would prefer immediate production out of Bell in this scenario, it wouldn't be necessary. While Moore is gone, Williams will still have key targets, including tight end Colston Loveland , wide receiver Rome Odunze , and wide receiver Luther Burden III .
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With the draft less than a month away, running from April 23-25, the Bears continue to weigh their options.
Related: Seahawks Projected to Replace Kenneth Walker III with 1,000-Yard RB
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
