The Chicago Bears will be in the spotlight during the first hour and a half of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, as they hold the No. 1 and No. 9 overall picks. ESPN and NFL Network will have extensive coverage, including interviews with top prospects and analysis from experts.
ESPN’s broadcast on ABC will take a human-interest tack, telling the players’ personal stories. The network also will air “The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular” for the first round on its digital channels (YouTube, TikTok, ESPN app, ESPN+). NFL Network will air an alternative broadcast on the NFL Channel, its free ad-supported streamer.
All of the networks are expected to focus heavily on the Bears early, especially if they select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick. Young is considered the top prospect in the draft by most analysts.
“The benefit for the team with the No. 1 pick is we’ll have a lot of time pre-pick to really get into the storylines,” said Drew Gallagher, coordinating producer at ESPN who oversees the traditional broadcast. “As soon as commissioner [Roger] Goodell puts the Bears on the clock, we use that time to talk about the potential fit with the Bears. It’s a franchise-altering moment, and it’s our job to document it.”
The networks will not tip any picks, a rule they’ve followed for years. However, once Goodell announces the selection, the player will be interviewed on stage by ESPN’s Molly McGrath and NFL Network’s Kaylee Hartung.
Both networks also will have reporters stationed at Halas Hall for draft-room reaction: Courtney Cronin of ESPN and Stacey Dales of NFL Network.
The draft is expected to be one of the most-watched ever, with star power at quarterback driving interest. Other top prospects include Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, and Kentucky quarterback Will Levis.
ESPN made two additions to its draft coverage: former Alabama coach Nick Saban and former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Saban will appear on ABC’s broadcast and Belichick on Pat McAfee’s show.
The Bears are hoping to find their franchise quarterback in this draft. They have not had a Pro Bowl quarterback since Jim McMahon in 1985.
“They could walk out of Thursday night and the entire picture for the franchise looks completely different for the next 10 years,” Gallagher said.
Here’s a look at local radio and TV coverage plans for the draft:
* ESPN 1000, the Bears’ radio home, will broadcast from the team’s draft party at Soldier Field, beginning with the “Waddle & Silvy” show.
* The Score’s “Parkins & Spiegel Draft Special” will air after the Cubs game, at approximately 5 p.m.
* Fox 32, the Bears’ broadcast TV home, will air “Bears Draft Special” at 5:30 p.m.
* NBC Sports Chicago will air “Football Night in Chicago: Draft Night Special” at 6 p.m. and “Chicago Draft Night” at 6:30.
