New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson may have taken a page straight from the playbook of the Detroit Lions when building Chicago’s 2026 draft class.

Johnson, who previously served as an offensive coordinator in Detroit, brought a culture-driven scouting philosophy with him to Chicago — one that focuses on competitiveness, football intelligence, and personal character rather than simply filling positional needs.

Bears Prioritized Identity Over Immediate Needs

The Bears entered the 2026 NFL Draft with major defensive concerns after finishing near the bottom of the league in several defensive categories.

However, instead of targeting defense early, general manager Ryan Poles and Johnson focused on selecting players who matched the team’s identity.

Three of Chicago’s first four picks were offensive players, a move that surprised many analysts but aligned with Johnson’s long-term vision for the roster.

The Lions’ “Grit” Philosophy

The strategy Johnson used in Chicago is heavily inspired by Detroit’s player evaluation model under Lions GM Brad Holmes.

Detroit’s scouting approach emphasizes a “GRIT” mentality, evaluating players based on:

Identity and competitiveness

Football character

Football IQ

This philosophy has helped Detroit consistently produce strong draft classes in recent years.

Bears Draft Class Reflects the Strategy

Chicago’s 2026 draft class includes several players who fit that competitive mold, including:

Dillon Thieneman

Logan Jones

Sam Roush

Zavion Thomas

Malik Muhammad

Keyshaun Elliott

Jordan Van Den Berg

Many of these prospects were identified as high-character competitors during the evaluation process.

Chicago and Detroit Led the Draft in “Grit” Prospects

According to draft analytics data, only two teams selected three or more elite “GRIT Index” players in the 2026 draft:

Chicago Bears — four players

Detroit Lions — three players

The numbers highlight how closely Chicago’s strategy mirrors Detroit’s approach.

Copycat Strategy Could Shape Bears’ Future

Johnson believes teams built around highly competitive players tend to succeed long term.

After seeing the approach work in Detroit, the Bears are now attempting to replicate that blueprint in Chicago.

If the philosophy pays off, the Bears’ 2026 draft class could become the foundation for the team’s next championship contender.