Dave Wannstedt's Advice for the Chicago Bears: Draft Playmakers Over Measurables
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In this episode of the CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast, former NFL coach Dave Wannstedt shares his insights on the Bears' upcoming draft strategy, emphasizing the importance of drafting playmakers over traditional measurables. Wannstedt reflects on his unexpected transition from coaching to media, crediting his wife and agent for pushing him into broadcasting. He critiques the Bears' free agency moves, particularly the Max Crosby signing, and argues that the team’s defensive philosophy under Dennis Allen favors speed and explosiveness over size. He champions undersized but high-impact players like Austin Booker and highlights the value of defensive tackles who can disrupt plays rather than just fill space. Wannstedt also discusses the evolving importance of the left tackle position in Ben Johnson’s play-action-heavy offense, arguing it’s now more critical than ever. He shares behind-the-scenes draft room dynamics, stressing alignment between GMs and coaches on player evaluation and need-based decisions. The conversation ends on a lighthearted note, with Wannstedt teasing his upcoming cigar tournament in Naples.
Prioritize playmakers over size and measurables when drafting defensive linemen.
Speed and explosiveness are more valuable than sheer size in modern NFL pass-rush schemes.
The left tackle position is increasingly vital due to the Bears’ shift toward play-action and under-center offenses.
Draft room decisions should align around shared philosophy between GM, coach, and scouts.
Evaluate players by their impact on tape—number of plays made—not just physical traits.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
From Coach to Media Maven: Dave Wannstedt’s Unexpected Journey
Wannstedt reflects on his transition from NFL head coach to media personality, recounting how his wife and agent encouraged him to pursue broadcasting after his coaching career wound down. He details his audition process with the Big Ten Network and Fox, leading to eight years of weekly NFL and college football coverage.
Draft Philosophy: Playmakers Over Measurables
“I said, Ryan, that's the kind of stuff you don't coach. And we were in our going back to our University of Miami days before the Dallas Cowboys and on and on. All we used to talk about was Jimmy Johnson, one of his great lines was Let's get players that do things that we don't have to coach.”
Defensive Line Strategy: Speed vs. Size
“Speed kills. And so, you know, I was, that's just a philosophy now. This is this is just what I've kind of come up with everywhere I've been defensive tackles whether it was Miami, I said the Hurricanes, I mean we drafted Jimmy Flanagan.”
Top Draft Prospects: From Ohio State to Illinois
Wannstedt discusses top defensive tackle prospects for the 2026 draft, including K Tron McDonald, Peter Woods, and Gabe Jackis (Jockus), noting that consistency in rankings across scouts suggests a strong consensus on top-tier talent.
The Evolution of the Left Tackle in Modern Offenses
“Now all of a sudden in Ben's offense, which I love, oh God, I went to first practice last year and Ben called up because I said, I don't want to come up and see you in shorts. You tell me when you're going to hit somebody, I'll be there.”
“If they're not excited about him they're not going to put the effort in they're not going to develop them and then he's not going to help us and we're going to lose games or we're all going to get fired.”
“I said, Ryan, that's the kind of stuff you don't coach. And we were in our going back to our University of Miami days before the Dallas Cowboys and on and on. All we used to talk about was Jimmy Johnson, one of his great lines was Let's get players that do things that we don't have to coach.”
“Now all of a sudden in Ben's offense, which I love, oh God, I went to first practice last year and Ben called up because I said, I don't want to come up and see you in shorts. You tell me when you're going to hit somebody, I'll be there.”
Host
Guest
Dave Wannstedt
person
Chicago Bears
other
Ben Johnson
person
Dennis Allen
person
Ryan Poles
person
CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast
media
University of Miami
organization
Big Ten Network
organization
Austin Booker
person
Max Crosby
person
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