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.
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That means the original plan is still in play.
@jmscooby Just off the top of my head, his deep-ball accuracy, which I believe has graded out as elite since he’s been in the league. His production was also elite when throwing to Moore or Kmet. Detractors waive that away as a consequence of Fields being a “one-read quarterback,” whatever that even means (doesn’t every QB have a first read?), without bothering to explain why Caleb can’t achieve those same stats when targeting either of those players or his first read. Maybe Fields is/was simply quicker to the ball out to his first read if it was there. That’s what… Read more »
The problem this year with the OL is Poles continues to look for guys on 1 year deals. These players are in that situation for a reason. They rarely are long term solutions anywhere. So my hope is Poles et al look for 1 top Guard/Center in FA and pay big bucks as opposed to waiting for the FA crumbs that fall on the floor. Then hope they can draft a Day 1 starter and if you get lucky another OL who can be ready in year 2, or as a rotational depth peace going into next season. History shows… Read more »
For those of you comparing elite QB and Good Ol, etc… you all seem to miss out on or choose to ignore that P Mahomes, J Allen J Love J Goff S Darnold all are considered Elite or Very good and they all operate behind a top OL considered to be very good or elite and at least above average. It takes both to build a repeat contender in today’s NFL. Added to that equation you have to have good or better skill position players and topflight coaches who know they need topflight assistants and the ability to adapt schemes,… Read more »
Between the draft picks, free agent signings and trades the O line will be significantly better. Watching KC’s O line blow the defenders off the ball is all you need to see. You or I could run behind that line. Not to mention the protection.
Another comedy of errors coming in the belief that the new OL 10-deep will be arriving next year.
Green Bay has a real running game. 21-0 tonight before half.
QB Daniels is already becoming a Superstar. Ben, hurry up the Bears need you. Oust Poles ASAP.