The Chicago Bears gave up 67 sacks last season. That leaves no doubt as to what their priorities will be going into the 2025 off-season. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson must use every resource available to fortify the offensive line. Center? Guard? Tackle? Everything is on the table. It is only a matter of figuring out who they should target and how to get them. One of the first orders of business is determining if anybody who played this past season is worth keeping. The three names that stand out are center Coleman Shelton, left guard Teven Jenkins, and backup guard Matt Pryor.
Shelton was surprisingly reliable in a chaotic situation this season, overcoming a slow start to become their most consistent blocker not named Darnell Wright. Pryor had to step in after Nate Davis was cut midseason. While he wasn’t anything special, he performed far better than most had any right to expect. The big uncertainty is Jenkins. When healthy, he’s shown he can be a good player. Sadly, he’s missed several games over his four seasons in Chicago. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN seems to think that hard truth will lead to changes.
Latest on whether they will re-sign guard Teven Jenkins: Expect the Bears to spend on their interior offensive line after this season’s struggles protecting Williams up front. That could leave Jenkins looking elsewhere as Chicago replenishes the line. — Fowler
The Chicago Bears are likely wiping the slate clean.
Right now, only Wright should be considered safe. He’s a former 1st round pick who played pretty well last season. The four other spots up front are up for grabs, especially along the interior. Most believe the Bears will have at least three new starters by the end of spring. It could be four, depending on what Johnson thinks of embattled left tackle Braxton Jones, who’s coming off of a season-ending injury. Details will start surfacing next month as free agency draws closer. Everybody expects the Bears to come out aggressively on the market.
Chiefs right guard Trey Smith and Falcons center Drew Dalman are two names already generating buzz. Once that period ends, all eyes will shift to the draft. The Chicago Bears hadn’t had two homegrown 1st round offensive linemen at the same time since 2011, when Chris Williams and Gabe Carimi briefly shared the field. Maybe that finally comes to an end in two months.
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@repnice2 You are correct that TSmith is not worth $22mil/yr. He graded out at just over 60 for Super Bowl, giving up 3 pressures, 2 hurries and a sack. He also got blown up on a few runs. And he was worse against Buffalo and Houston! Clearly, that is not what you expect from a guy seeking to be the highest paid NFL OG. Smith would be an upgrade. But he’s clearly not Chris Lindstrom or Zack Martin who rate over 80 PFF every year. Now, I’d lock him in at $15mil/yr and hope he becomes one of those guys.… Read more »
I wonder if this is the year to grab a LT, even moving up for one. Move B.Jones to LG as he is an OK pass blocker and has been a very good and consistent run blocker. Get the best FA C out there in Dalman then a reasonable OG to compete with Bates, Murray or whoever we draft in Rd 3, including Kiran.
Trey Smith? Really? Did you not see him get bum-rushed in the Super Bowl? On this, I say no.
Their best decision may have already been made when they hired Roushar to replace Morgan.
If Roushar is as good as his reputation, Braxton Jones and Wright will both take a huge step up, and whomever the draft or sign in the interior, will be developed.
Jordan Mailata was drafted 7th round and had barely played American football. He was coached to All Pro levels within 3-4 years. All draft picks are poor if you can’t develop and coach them
@ BDTx I think Dalman would be a good move and so would a few of the other G/T guys coming available but I don’t wish to over-pay for a guard like Smith. I would consider high pay for a LT, DE, or even a Center like Dalman. A nagging question to me is whether Jenkins can find a better job or if we can have him back in a reduced role, like swing Guard? I doubt we can retain Braxton next year as I think he’ll find starter money somewhere.