Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, like many other GMs around the league, had some plans for the 2026 NFL Draft that never materialized. However, it appears that the Bears feel better than most about their class. Bears Day 3 pick Jordan van den Berg is getting some additional attention.
An athletic-testing darling, van den Berg is joining a front that was vulnerable against the run and, far too often, ineffective against the pass.
He could get an extended looks this spring and summer, despite his draft pedigree.
Insider Spotlights Bears’ Jordan van den Berg
Bears’ Jordan van den Berg Viewed as Draft ‘Steal’
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the encouraging outlook for van den Berg on Thursday. The insider first noted that they “eyed a trade-up” in Round 2 of the draft. They “chose to stand pat” instead.
They were “high on” former Tennessee and current New York Giants cornerback Colton Hood. He could have been a “viable fallback option” if Dillon Thieneman was already selected by pick No. 25.
Bears brass feels they are “getting a steal” with van den Berg, though.
“Several of his testing numbers hit the highest mark on the Bears’ internal scouting scale,” Fowler wrote on April 30. “My sense is the Bears have plans for him beyond that of a typical sixth-round flier and believe he was one of the more gifted defensive tackles in the draft.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in “The Beast” pre-draft that the DT “was a late bloomer on the football field, but his 2025 tape showed a player with NFL-caliber size, traits and effort.”
van den Berg ranked 18th on The Athletic’s CFB “Freaks List” in 2025.
“The 6-3, 300-pounder, a Freaks List guy when he was at Penn State, made a big impact at Tech last year, earning second-team all-ACC honors after coming up with 23 tackles, five TFLs, one sack, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries,” The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman wrote in August 2025.
“Van den Berg’s strength and agility numbers have risen. This summer he power cleaned 393, squatted 675 and bench pressed 450. His vertical jump of 36.5 inches was even more impressive. He also broad jumped 9-10 and hit 19.5 mph.”
Jordan van den Berg Joins Retooled DT Room
A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, with a strong athletic background and the lineage to match his numbers, van den Berg is an older prospect at 24.
While that likely contributed to capping his draft stock, it could suggest a readiness to contribute.
He maxed out at 3.0 sacks in his final collegiate season, finishing his career with 6.5 sacks and 93 combined tackles in 54 games. He also joins a group that still boasts a fair number of projected contributors.
The Bears return 2025 starters Gervon Dexter Sr. and two-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett. They also signed Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and James Lynch in free agency.
There could still be reps available for van den Berg early.
Rookie Minicamp an Opportunity for Jordan van den Berg
Working in van den Berg’s favor, the Bears have seemingly committed to keeping Shemar Turner outside this season. He and 2025 starting EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo can both play inside. The Bears’ lack of additions on the outside suggests they plan on leaving the duo, which ended last season on IR, there.
van den Berg will participate with undrafted free agent Jayden Loving in rookie minicamp. The session was tentatively scheduled for May 8-9.
That will be his first opportunity to prove his testing numbers can translate to the field at the NFL level.
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