Did the Chicago Bears’ rookie draft class get disrespected by ESPN’s end-of-season rankings?

RC Nazemi

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Did the Chicago Bears’ rookie draft class get disrespected by ESPN’s end-of-season rankings? image

Mike Dinovo - Imagn Images

This Cinderella-run season the Chicago Bears have put together has been truly special. They finished the season 11-6, won the NFC North, and just completed one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history against the Green Bay Packers. 

Everything seems to be turning up Chicago's way. Ben Johnson has panned out better than anyone expected in year one, Caleb Williams looks ahead of schedule in year two, and the rest of the team is firing on all cylinders. 

For God's sake, even the Pope is a Chicago native. That has to be good luck. 

One massive reason for the Bears' success can be chalked up to the performances of many of their rookies, specifically in the back half of the season. 

MORE: Colston Loveland reaches Bears' heights not seen since 1983

Recently, ESPN came out with a ranking of every team's rookie class, and the Bears' placement on that list has some people questioning its validity. 

Was the Bears' rookie class disrespected?  

This season, Chicago has received significant contributions from not just one, but multiple players out of their draft class. 

From rounds one to seven, Chicago took risks and found gems that ultimately led to finding key players this franchise can count on for years to come. 

That's why when ESPN released their rankings of the NFL's draft classes, the Bears being ranked at 7th was a bit confusing. 

Now granted, there are some teams that legitimately deserve their spots above Chicago for now. The Cleveland Browns had a fantastic draft class, as did the New York Giants.

But while some of the other teams ahead of Chicago, like New Orleans, Carolina, and New England, might have legitimate top-end talent, I just don't believe their rookie classes contain the same depth as Chicago's. 

The knock against the Bears' draft class is that while they landed multiple game-changing offensive players like Loveland, Burden III, Monangai, Trapilo, and even Walker, they missed on the defensive side of the ball. 

In the moments he was called upon, Ruben Hyppolite II looked good on the field, and once Shemar Turner comes back from injury, he should be set to be a difference maker as well. 

It's only one season in to these young players' careers, but don't be surprised to look back five years from now and view this Bears draft class as one of, if not the very best of 2025. 

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Staff Writer