Training camp is in full swing. The Chicago Bears are about to play their second preseason game of the month. By now, the picture of how their roster is shaping up should be coming into focus. While no final decisions have been made yet, it’d be surprising if GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus don’t have some idea of how the final 53 will look in a few weeks. Perhaps the most challenging area to figure out is the offensive line. Thanks to persistent injuries in that area since camp began, it is difficult to gauge where the depth is at with the unit.
Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic both seem to believe that some changes are coming in that area. Faces that have been fixtures with the group for the past couple of seasons are unlikely to return.
“Offensive line (9)
Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Ryan Bates, Darnell Wright, Nate Davis, Kiran Amegadjie, Matt Pryor, Bill Murray.
When you get publicly praised by the head coach, you get a roster spot — at least in this exercise. That’s where Murray fits in. He took the place of Ja’Tyre Carter from the initial projection…
…Larry Borom has experience and versatility but is making too much money for a reserve position if the Bears are more comfortable with Pryor, who can play four spots.”
Borom has been a reliable backup tackle since he was drafted in 2021. However, the arrival of Amegadjie in the 3rd round this year put him on notice. Remember, the Bears only carried one backup tackle last year. As for Carter, he didn’t help his case in the preseason opener, allowing two pressures on only 19 pass-blocks. Murray, meanwhile, played a clean game.
The Chicago Bears may look for outside help.
That is the wild card in this scenario. Word out of camp practices is that the offensive line hasn’t held up well against the Bears’ defense. Caleb Williams has been under too much pressure. This may compel Poles to shake things up with a tweak of the depth chart, perhaps through an acquisition via the waiver wire in the coming weeks. He could also look to make a minor trade if somebody becomes available. Offensive tackle appears to be okay with Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, and Amegadjie. Somebody with experience at guard and/or center would be the goal.
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Time will tell. Until then, the Chicago Bears must make do with who they have. Murray has outplayed Carter to this point. This regime always rewards the players who earn their spots, not how much they signed for or if they were drafted. As for Borom, he could be dangled as a trade piece. Veteran tackles with his level of experience and relatively cheap contract would be attractive to teams needing offensive line help. Perhaps the Bears could get somebody back at a position of need.
Also, with the question marks and nagging health issues of some, I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept 10 O-linemen to start the season depending on how the feel about depth in other positions.
Yep, Gotta agree, way too much sense going on here today, Rocketrider. It’s quite refreshing. I don’t believe they will cut Davis though because he’s solid when he does play for the most part. I definitely see a demotion for him which again is logical. I just think they won’t want to use what’s left in the rainy day fund just to replace him because it’s a long year; Still I wouldn’t be shocked or upset if he was cut. He’ll be gone next year regardless though.
I believe Davis will be cut. He’s obviously not interested in playing football anymore. They have cap space to replace him. Poles won’t let his mistake plague the team much longer. He will move on.
Every single draft pick we made was a steal. I’ve had to skim the articles stating so. A commission has been drawn for an 18 foot bronze statue of our QB savior. Our OL improved just by getting rid of Whiterick and Pathair.
August 27th is cut day. If any Bears OL are injured, they will be assigned to IR or PUP list, opening up a slot on the 53-man roster. Then, if a worthy OL option is available in the cut pool, Poles can sign them. It’s how teams add depth without undue investment.
Is Kiran healthy yet?