We’re days away from the NFL draft. Big decisions ahead for the Bears. Here are 12 prospects the Chicago Bears might consider with the No. 25 pick.

Bears Hall of Famer and Western Pa. native Jimbo Covert will be on site next week at the NFL draft in Pittsburgh and will announce one of the Bears' day-two picks.

Once a walk-on at NIU, George Gumbs Jr. has changed positions twice, transferred to the SEC, and next week he has a very real chance to hear his name in the NFL draft. Here's more on the Chicago native's journey from Simeon to the NFL.

Dave McGinnis was very nearly the Chicago Bears head coach in 1999. McGinnis died yesterday at age 74.

We’re less than two weeks away from the NFL draft. What do the Bears need? Here’s a look at their biggest positions of need, and several names to watch at each one.

‘We were just special’: Eclectic group of Illinois players says emotional goodbye after memorable season ends

Illini forward Ben Humrichous: “I think we were just a lot of fun and I think this was a team that was really easy to celebrate from the outside as people got to know us and the gift that each and every one of my teammates were. We were just special.”

No shortage of tears from Brad Underwood after this one. An emotional run ends for the Illini.

Final: UConn 71, Illinois 62. The Illini go down in the national semifinals. UConn advances to Monday night.

Big 3-pointer from Ben Humrichous to keep the Illini hopes alive. A 10-0 Illinois run cut it to four. Now, UConn leads 61-56 with 2:46 remaining in regulation.

The man himself: Bill Murray. Illini fans were unhappy with his change of allegiance.

Halftime: UConn 37, Illinois 29. The Huskies have shot better from 3-point range and that's the difference so far. Braylon Mullins leads UConn with 12 points. The Illini battled back to take the lead late in the half, but UConn went on a run before halftime.

Tomislav Ivisic knocks down a 3-pointer for the Illini to give them their first lead at 22-21 with just under eight minutes to go in the first half. Ivisic comes up with a big block on the other end too.

A lot of orange in the building. Here we go.

If Illinois is going to beat UConn tonight, it would surprise nobody if Jake Davis or Ben Humrichous makes a key defensive play. It's been quite a journey to the Final Four for these two Indiana natives.

One hour until kickoff … er, tipoff. Illinois vs. UConn in the national semifinals. The Illini play in their first Final Four since 2005.

Why is Bill Murray, who loves Illinois basketball, rooting for UConn in the Final Four?

Illinois’ Jake Davis and Ben Humrichous — both Indiana natives — do little things right in run to Final Four On two unique journeys to the pinnacle of college basketball.

Photos from Illinois basketball practice at Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of Saturday's Final Four matchup. 📷 @mandophotos.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/02/p...

AJ Redd, the lightly recruited kid out of St. Ignatius, is at the Final Four in an Illinois jersey. “It’s hard to put into words,” he said, sounding a bit speechless.

The Illini fans showed out for Illinois’ open practice on Friday at the Final Four.

The Fighting Illini are here for their open practice Friday morning at Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of the Final Four.

Illinois State loses to ‘NCAA Tournament-caliber’ Auburn in NIT semifinals: ‘What we’re building is special’

Illinois State and Auburn were in two different places on Selection Sunday. Despite the opposing emotions, both teams have rattled off three consecutive wins to set up an NIT semifinal matchup tonight. Here's what to know about the 23-12 Redbirds.

Checking in from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where Illinois State will take on Auburn in an NIT semifinals tonight at 8:30 p.m.

A weekend of basketball ahead 📍Indianapolis

Illinois State and Auburn square off in the NIT semifinals tonight at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indy. Here’s what to know about an Illinois State team that rallied after a disappointing MVC tourney.

Pitching in on some college basketball coverage this week. First up, Northwestern believes it has ‘proven winner’ in new women’s basketball coach Carla Berube. More from her introductory press conference Tuesday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Bears special teamer Travis Homer is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here's the latest in Bears free agency.

Can confirm that RB Travis Homer is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per source. Homer appeared in 36 games with the Bears over the past three years, primarily on special teams.

3 things we learned from Chicago Bears free agency: 1. How Dennis Allen’s defense got faster 2. The Bears' new N.C. State connection in the trenches 3. What Neville Gallimore brings to the D-line With @philthompsontrib.bsky.social. Read here.

Jack Sanborn is back. The Bears signed the Lake Zurich native to a one-year contract on Wednesday. He returns to the franchise that gave him his start in the NFL after a year away in Dallas. The Bears also added DT James Lynch. Here's more.

The Bears have signed LB Jack Sanborn and DT James Lynch. Sanborn, a Lake Zurich native, returns to the Bears after spending one season with the Dallas Cowboys.

New Chicago Bears addition Coby Bryant ‘just scratching the surface’ as an NFL safety More on the Bears’ replacement for Kevin Byard.

The Bears made three more signings official: LT Braxton Jones DL Kentavius Street DB Cam Lewis

Can confirm that Jonathan Owens is leaving the Bears and signing with the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears are going to look very different at the safety position next season. Here's the latest from free agency.

Chicago Bears saw ‘the right fit’ in Garrett Bradbury to replace Drew Dalman’s veteran presence at center Ryan Poles commended his staff for adjusting on the fly after Dalman informed the team he was retiring. Here's more.

Ryan Poles said today that the Bears made some calls about Maxx Crosby before the trade to Baltimore. "We were involved," Poles said. "We checked into it. We looked to see if it made sense, had some dialogue, but I’ll just leave it at that.”

Ryan Poles said his son was not very happy with him after the DJ Moore trade. Ryan Poles said this: "DJ’s one of my favorite players, will always be one of my favorite players."

The Bears have officially signed safety Coby Bryant, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, linebacker Devin Bush and receiver Kalif Raymond.

New Bears center Garrett Bradbury says his college teammate Joe Thuney is “a stud.” “It blows my mind that two teams have let that guy walk out of the building,” he said, alluding to the Patriots and Chiefs.

How well have the Bears addressed their needs in free agency? What moves were the most surprising? How does this affect the draft? 5 pressing questions with @philthompsontrib.bsky.social and @bradbiggs.bsky.social.

Kevin Byard is heading to New England. Elijah Hicks is returning to the Bears. Two trades became official. And the Bears are signing former Browns OT Jedrick Wills Jr. Here's what we learned today in Bears free agency news.

It’s officially a new year in the NFL. The Bears officially announce that DJ Moore has been traded to Buffalo. The team also made the Garrett Bradbury trade with New England official.

Tracking the Chicago Bears in NFL free agency: Kalif Raymond to sign 1-year deal, filling need for a returner Here's the latest.

With comp picks out, the NFL released the full draft order. These are the Bears' 2026 draft picks (once trades are made official Wednesday): 1st: 25 overall 2nd: 57 2nd: 60 (from BUF) 3rd: 89 4th: 129 (from LAR) 7th: 239 (from PHI via CLE and JAX) 7th: 241

The Bears didn't receive any comp picks after Ian Cunningham's exit. Ryan Poles was optimistic the league might see it their way, but that's not what happened. Here's what we know after the NFL awarded 33 comp picks across the league.

The Chicago Bears were not awarded any compensatory draft picks.

The Bears continue to bolster their defense, signing linebacker Devin Bush Jr. to a three-year, $30 million deal.

The Bears are adding Super Bowl champion safety Coby Bryant. Bryant totaled 7 INTs over the past two seasons in Mike Macdonald's defense. Here's the latest from NFL free agency.