Which players have the most to lose following Ben Johnsons first draft as Head Coach of the Chicago Bears? Your Bears Over Beers crew shares their takes!
After the much-anticipated 2025 NFL Draft, rosters around the league are coming more into focus as we inch closer to training camp and the start of the season.
Both veteran and undrafted Free Agents will continue to be added, and things will continue to evolve, but here is a look at which Chicago Bears players’ stock is on the decline after this incoming draft class was selected.
We aren’t just being Negative Nancys by pointing out the “losers,” remember, we already shared our winners article here earlier this week.
DJ Moore, WR
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Bryan Orenchuk: At 28 years old and in the prime of his career, DJ Moore’s inclusion on this list may turn some heads. When you consider his best games have come against Ben Johnson’s former team, the Lions, it makes you wonder just how much of a “loser” situation the former Maryland Terrapin could be.
It all changed for me Friday night when the Bears selected WR Luther Burden III with the 39th overall pick in the NFL Draft. This was after selecting another offensive weapon at number 10 overall in Tight End Colston Loveland. One of Burden’s most common pro comps? DJ Moore. After Ben Johnson has preached all summer about the importance of blocking for all skill players (“no block, no rock”) and his comments post draft about putting some players on notice and increased competition. Consider DJ on a short leash. Personally, I think he will thrive in this atmosphere, but it’s never a good feeling when your potential replacement is drafted.
Ryan Droste: I had much the same thought after Burden was drafted. His playing style and strengths are much more similar to Moore’s than they are to Odunze’s (hence why I felt Odunze was a winner in our previous column on the draft).
There’s little question that Moore has been the Bears’ top wide receiver the last two years, but we saw some flashes last season that gave fans reason for concern (notably, a couple of well-publicized times when DJ gave up on plays).
Moore has a lot of money headed his way in the next few seasons, and although the intention when he re-signed last season was for him to finish out his career with the Bears, I think that intention became much less reality after last week’s draft. If Burden can show he is capable of being a top threat, Moore will be off the team in the next few seasons to save on the cap when an ascending (we hope) Bears team is going to be looking to dedicate resources elsewhere on the roster.
Zacch Pickens, DT
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Bryan Orenchuk: One of Bears GM Ryan Poles’ two Defensive Tackles drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft (with the other being Gervon Dexter, Sr.), Zacch Pickens has not made nearly enough plays in his first two seasons. For a 2023 third round pick to have only accumulated 17 total solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 QBH and 2 TFL, that is quickly approaching a “bust” label. Especially when considering the ample opportunities presented him last season once starter Andrew Billings went down to injury.
Is Pickens out of position on the DL? Possibly, as some believe he is more of the 3T while he has been playing more 1T since becoming a Bear. Either way, it is not a good sign when the team signs a high priced free agent in Grady Jarrett and then drafts a second round DT in Shemar Turner. Ironically enough, one of the biggest issues I have with Pickens has been his lack of fire as an iDL, something that the rookie has in spades. If Pickens doesn’t light up training camp, I highly doubt he will make it to the season and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s released sooner than later.
Kiran Amegadjie, OT
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Ryan Droste: After the selection of Ozzy Trapilo out of Boston College in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, I think Amegadjie finds himself clearly falling down the depth chart of Chicago’s offensive line.
While neither Amegadjie or Trapilo figure to start right out of the gate in 2025 (barring injuries to the line), Trapilo comes into the league as a more pro-ready prospect than Amegadjie did one year ago. Bears fans saw Amegadjie get some playing time late last season due to the gang of injuries the Bears suffered up front, and he didn’t play particularly well in those games, but the truth was that he was never expected to. Amegadjie was always looked at as a project who would need time to develop into a successful pro. He has the talent and traits but will need time.
Considering Trapilo projected as a player who could compete for a starting tackle spot coming out of college, it’s hard to imagine the second rounder settling in behind Amegadjie on the depth chart. Trapilo should find himself as the Bears’ primary swing tackle this season, and he could potentially even see time starting at LT if Braxton Jones is unable to stay healthy. There’s also a chance that Darnell Wright could be moved to the LT position long term and Trapilo could settle in at RT, where he primarily played at BC. Either way, Trapilo seems to have a great opportunity to be one of the Bears’ long term starters at tackle alongside Wright.
Cole Kmet, TE
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Bryan Orenchuk: Cole Kmet is the ultimate team player. Never once complaining about his usage, targets and statistics. Having survived Bill Lazor, Luke Getsy, Shane Waldron and Thomas Brown as his play callers in his first 5 seasons and STILL earning a raise/extension is quite the accomplishment.
Remember, as a rookie he played alongside future Hall of Famer Jimmy Graham and ceded more snaps to the aging veteran, though he did surpass him in playing time the following season though he scored not a single TD despite being second on the team in targets (behind Darnell Mooney.) Either way, a new Head Coach and playcaller is in town with Ben Johnson and things could be coming to an end for Kmet in Chicago.
Additionally, Ben Johnson’s first ever draft pick as Bears Head Coach was Tight End Colston Loveland out of Michigan. Loveland is just 21 while Kmet is 26. Two summers ago, Kmet signed a 4 year, $50 million contract extension through the 2027 season. However, there would only be a $3.2 million dead cap penalty if he is released following the 2025 season and that number goes down to $1.6 million after the 2026 season.
Can Cole Kmet and first rounder Colston Loveland co-exist? Absolutely, especially with creative offensive mind Ben Johnson calling plays. I also think their skillsets compliment each other well as Kmet is the better inline blocker and big body while Loveland is incredible in space down the field, especially for a man his size (6’6”, 248.) I expect a reinvigorated Cole Kmet this season as he takes advantage of his new scheme and play caller, but it is hard to see how he will now finish his career as a Bear after the promising young TE was brought into the fold, hand-picked by the new Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator.
Ryan Droste: I’d agree with all of the reasons laid out above by Bryan. There’s no question that all eyes will be on Kmet this season after a disappointing 2024 campaign, and with the rookie in waiting, that will be even pressure for Kmet to deliver.
This team is now loaded with receiving weapons, and there are only so many passes to go around. I expect Ben Johnson to be incredibly creative with personnel and scheme, but the truth of the matter is the salary cap will become more of a concern for the team over the next few years, and it will be hard to justify paying two TEs top dollar (if Loveland delivers as expected). As Bryan pointed out, the dead cap penalty for cutting Kmet is not high.
What about you? Any issues with the above names? Agree or disagree? Sound off below and tune in tonight as Orenchuk and Droste will be talking about the Bears’ new draft picks on a new LIVE edition of Bears Over Beers over at our 2nd City Gridiron YouTube Channel! The show will also be available on our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel and at Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms, Make sure to grab your favorite beverage and join them!