The Chicago Bears have lots of work to do if they’re going to clean up the mess this organization has become over the past four months. Everything starts with determining who will be calling the shots in the football operations. Is GM Ryan Poles staying or not? If not, they must find a replacement. After that, it is about securing a head coach who can finally provide stability where the organization hasn’t had any for over a decade. Maybe it’s Ben Johnson. Maybe it’s someone else. After that, the agenda becomes much clearer.
Fix the offensive line.
Caleb Williams has been sacked 60 times this season. While he holds some responsibility for that, with his tendency to hold the ball at times, the truth is inescapable. The blocking has been bad way too often. This group is dangerously low on high-caliber talent, to say nothing of guys who can actually stay healthy. Everybody expects significant changes. What they aren’t sure about is where those changes will be directed. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune provided clarity. From everything he’s gathered, expect the Bears to completely revamp the three interior spots.
It’s a shame because when Jones has been on the field — he also missed two games in the middle of the season with a knee injury — you can make a case he has been as consistent as any offensive player. The bar isn’t really high for that accolade, but the Bears’ issues on the offensive line start from guard to guard and it’s where I believe the focus will be in rebuilding the line in the offseason.
Now with Jones injured — he will become the third offensive lineman placed on injured reserve, joining Ryan Bates and Bill Murray — it creates more questions about the unit projecting ahead to the offseason and 2025. Jones is in the third year of his four-year rookie contract and will be evaluated by a new coaching staff.
This plan from the Chicago Bears isn’t surprising.
Interior blocking has been a significant weakness for this team for years. Poles have tried to address it with veteran free agents and late-round draft picks, but with little success. Nate Davis was already cut. Matt Pryor is a backup. Teven Jenkins and Coleman Shelton will both be free agents. Some may want Jenkins back. Unfortunately, his track record of poor health hasn’t improved much despite only missing one game this season. The Bears likely want a clean break with fresh faces at all three spots.
This will be a challenge. Overhauling an entire unit in one off-season can go wrong in several ways. However, the Chicago Bears have the resources to pull it off. They hold almost $80 million in salary cap space and three picks in the top 50 of the upcoming draft. If they play their cards right, they should be able to secure three quality starters at both guards and center. The big concern was Braxton Jones’ injury against Detroit. Fears were he might’ve torn his patella, which would’ve put his 2025 season in jeopardy. Thankfully, it was revealed he only fractured his ankle, which is a four-month recovery.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
That means the original plan is still in play.
@Veece Are you seriously saying that this Chicago Bears team is merely an elite center away from being competitive? Because if that’s the case, then the solution is really, really simple: Just throw as many resources (draft picks, money, whatever else) as is necessary at the best center playing. Poles could trade three first-round picks for literally any center in the league.
Why doesn’t he? Well, because it’s lunacy. Such is the reality of finite resources, which every other team in the league has to deal with as well.
Thanks, Citizen! And Drew Dalman is exactly who I would prioritize, Sam. Trey Smith most likely won’t make it to FA, but he’d be the top option if he does. Dalman has a legitimate chance to hit FA, I don’t believe the Falcons have a healthy cap situation especially given Cousins’ contract. Prioritize a young, good Center that can start for the next 5+ years. Add a starting Guard with him through FA and add an additional Guard through the draft. Select DE and DT with high picks as this draft has talent and depth at both positions. Braxton will… Read more »
The best plan for the line was to trade out of pick 1.01 this April, use the haul to stack the line with both elite talent and depth, and figure out what combination is most effective through practice rep. That plan would’ve been fantastic, because Poles had the absurd advantage of pick 1.01 in a draft where the consensus #1 QB had been hyped up tremendously for two entire years. Instead, Poles shot his entire wad on the QB1 in question, assuming that Caleb would by himself elevate line play just by standing there behind center. That assumption was wrong,… Read more »
Would be surprised if we didn’t come into next season with 4 new starting offensive linemen. But, this is still the Bears organization. Poles for sure gives run it back vibes cause he is certain of his evaluations. 2 years from now we are still building with a new GM. That would be on par for this organization.
I know Atl won’t let him hit FA, but man it would be amazing to pick up their Center Drew Dalman. Our biggest upgrades should be at GM and HC.