The Chicago Bears’ hopes of making a major upgrade to their backfield fizzled during the NFL draft. What happened? And what’s next?

The 2025 NFL Draft marks an opportunity for the Chicago Bears to shore up deficiencies and bolster a roster that just experienced a tumultuous 5-12 season that included a 10-game losing streak and the firing of head coach Mike Eberflus.

Seven NFL teams have preferred the Auburn side of the Iron Bowl rivalry in the league’s annual draft. The Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans have chosen more players from Auburn than they have from Alabama.