As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, a surprising leak from Halas Hall has sent shockwaves through Bears Nation. According to multiple insider reports, the Chicago Bears’ draft board includes a name at the No. 10 overall pick that few expected: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
While most fans and analysts had the Bears pegged to bolster their offensive or defensive lines early in the draft, new intel reveals that head coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles may be shifting gears. The team is reportedly “praying” that Jeanty falls to them at ten — a bold strategy that signals a major offensive pivot under the new regime.
Jeanty, a dynamic and electric playmaker, has turned heads throughout the draft process with his explosive speed, lateral quickness, and receiving ability out of the backfield. If drafted, he would form a potentially lethal one-two punch with veteran D’Andre Swift, creating a backfield tandem that could become one of the most feared in the league.
This development comes as a surprise to many, especially considering Chicago’s glaring need to shore up its offensive line. The Bears allowed the second-most pressures in the league last season, and protecting new franchise quarterback Caleb Williams has been viewed as the top offseason priority.
Previously, mock drafts had pegged Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. as the likely selection at No. 10. Others predicted the team might target defensive tackle Tyleik Williams from Ohio State with their second-round pick at No. 39. That combination of picks would signal a “trench-first” strategy aimed at building from the inside out — a philosophy Poles has championed in the past.
But if the Jeanty rumor is true, it suggests a major shift in draft-day thinking: one focused on dynamic playmakers and immediate impact weapons.
It also reflects the creative influence of Ben Johnson, the offensive-minded head coach known for his explosive schemes in Detroit. Adding Jeanty to a unit that already features Swift, D.J. Moore, and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams could accelerate the Bears’ transformation from rebuilding franchise to legitimate NFC contender.
With just days to go before the draft, one thing is certain: the Bears are keeping everyone guessing — and the league is taking notice.
