The Chicago Bears’ rookie draft class was questioned entering the season, but it provided a leading effort in the team’s victory, particularly on offense, in Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rookies led the Bears in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns, receptions, and targets.
It is a tremendous development for the 9-3 Bears, who remain atop the NFC North and suddenly find themselves in second place in the tightly-contested NFC following their win over the defending Super Bowl champs.
Bears’ Rookie Draft Class Makes Huge Impact in Win Over Eagles
Bears Rookies Making Ryan Poles Look Good
Bears general manager Ryan Poles has faced heavy criticism about his drafting skills, but Friday’s effort certainly went his way. The Bears’ top three picks and four players from their eight-prospect class all had significant say in the victory.
First-round pick Colston Loveland, the No. 10 overall selection of the class, had three receptions for 28 yards in the contest on a team-leading (tie) six targets.
The yardage was a step back.
Loveland averaged over four receptions and 65-plus yards across the Bears’ previous four outings. Still, he showed once again to be a reliable target for Caleb Williams, particularly in critical moments, with a key fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter on Friday.
Luther Burden III, the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, caught a team-high four passes for 33 yards, while also seeing six targets, as did Rome Odunze (2-8-0).
Ozzy Trapilo, selected with the No. 56 pick, started his second straight outing and showed well.
The Bears outgained the Eagles 425 yards to 317 and ran 34 more offensive plays. They also won the turnover battle, the latter of which has become a staple of their success this season. It continued with an interception (Kevin Byard) and forced fumble (Nahshon Wright).
It was not just the Bears’ premium draft picks – those selected within a cycle’s first three rounds – that made their presence felt, either.
Bears RB Room Seeing Rookie Takeover
Rookie seventh-round pick (No. 233 overall) Kyle Monangai was integral, tallying 130 yards and 1 touchdown on 22 carries. He outcarried veteran D’Andre Swift for the second straight week.
Swift had 18 totes for 125 yards.
It was the Bears’ third 200-plus-yard rushing performance of the 2025 regular season. They had two total during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The Bears had seven such outings during the 2022 season, but they went 2-5. They had not had multiple 280-plus-yard showings since 1984.
This is their second with 280-plus, and these Bears are 3-0 this season under those circumstances.
Moreover, they are not even getting the full benefit of this year’s draft class.
Bears Still Missing Multiple Draft Picks
Second-round defensive lineman Shemar Turner, the No. 62 overall pick, tore his ACL and only played in five games this season. Cornerback Zah Frazier, taken 169th overall, has not played at all due to personal reasons.
The Bears did not have the No. 132 overall pick, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, for this game.
He suffered a shoulder injury in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but has played in seven games this season.
The Bears placed guard Luke Newman (No. 195 overall) on injured reserve with a foot injury, meaning he must miss at least three more games before he can return. He has played in nine games so far. Even with the absences, the Bears’ draft class is showing strong at the right time of the season.