The Bears Are Very Interested In Kadyn Proctor — Here’s The Details
The signings of Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills appeared to alleviate the major concerns at left tackle for the Chicago Bears. While neither is a long-term solution, both have starting experience and could hold down the fort until Ozzy Trapilo returns healthy. The focus now, going into the 2026 NFL draft, would be on defense, be it a defensive lineman or a safety in the 1st round. However, there are reasons to think the left tackle issue is not settled, and why Kadyn Proctor is the name to watch.
We’ll start with the assumption that Jones and Wills are considered the team’s solutions for the position. Insider Jeff Hughes of Sports Mockery made it clear from what he’s heard that left tackle remains very much in play at the 25th pick.
Now, you consider the most recent pro day Bears general manager Ryan Poles visited. His stops at Oklahoma and Miami made sense. Both programs feature prominent defensive linemen in this class, including some who could be options at #25. Then there’s Alabama. The Crimson Tide has no such defensive prospects this year. On the other hand, they do have one of the most prominent left tackles.
Kadyn Proctor is very much on the Bears’ radar.
SM has been informed that the Alabama left tackle has a lot of fans inside Halas Hall. It isn’t hard to see why. Few men who are 6’7″ and 352 lbs can move like Proctor can. His feet are surprisingly nimble for his size, enabling him to battle every type of pass rusher in pass protection. There is no doubt he’s a core asset in the running game, displaying the kind of power that drives open lanes. Most of the criticisms around him have focused on his inconsistent technique and limited range.
We already know Bears head coach Ben Johnson loves size. It started with the 6’5″, 331 lbs Penei Sewell in Detroit, and then the 6’8″, 316 lbs Trapilo last season. Johnson likely prefers bigger tackles because they tend to have strong anchors in protection and can generate more movement in the ground game. Both of those were cited as core things he looks for. Sacrificing a little range in protection seems like a reasonable trade-off. The obvious concern is whether Kadyn Proctor will even be available.
| NFL Comparisons | Primary Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Trent Brown | Rare combination of massive size and shocking foot speed. |
| Mekhi Becton | Elite length and physical frame; shared challenges with lateral agility. |
| Orlando Brown Jr. | “Wall” style blocker who wins with immense reach and angles. |
| Jordan Mailata | High-tier explosive athleticism at a 350lb+ body weight. |
| JC Latham | Similar Alabama pedigree, power profile, and massive frame. |
| Evan Neal | High-profile Alabama tackle prospect with significant upper-body mass. |
| Rodger Saffold | Projects a similar raw power that could translate to tackle or guard. |
Whispers indicate that Proctor falling to #25 isn’t likely.
The fact is that multiple teams picking in the first 24 spots have a need at left tackle. Cleveland (#6 and #24) and Detroit (#17) stand out as obvious landing spots. Cleveland lost their entire offensive line to free agency this offseason. They have to rebuild it quickly. Detroit also released longtime left tackle Taylor Decker, leaving that position open. Now, the good news from the Bears’ perspective is that Proctor isn’t the only option on the board. Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, and Monroe Freeling are all considered contenders to be the first tackle off the board. If two of those three names end up going to the Browns and Lions, the door suddenly opens for Proctor to fall.
It’s worth noting that drafting offensive tackles of 350 lbs or more has become a dangerous gamble. The three most recent examples: Mekhi Becton, Isaiah Wilson, and Evan Neal were disappointments or outright busts. This might spook teams from going down that route despite Proctor showing enough evidence to believe he can handle the NFL level at that size. It will be fascinating to see if the rumblings about him going higher than expected are true. If not, keep his name circled.