Will the Bears’ search for a left tackle continue?
How did the Bears’ offensive line perform this season? Here’s a look.
Offensive line
Returning players: Ozzy Trapilo, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Luke Newman, Kiran Amegadjie, Kyle Hergel
Free agents: Jordan McFadden, Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, Ryan Bates
Looking back: Bear general manager Ryan Poles revamped the offensive line last offseason when he traded for Thuney and Jackson and signed Dalman. His efforts paid off as the Bears built one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
It didn’t look pretty at the beginning of the season as the unit tried to get into a rhythm. But once things started to click, it really clicked. The group helped the Bears have the third-best running attack in the league, averaging 144.5 rushing yards per game. A season after opponents sacked quarterback Caleb Williams a team-record 68 times, Williams was sacked 24 times this year.
The line’s interior three did a great job setting the tone. Thuney, Dalman and Jackson played in all 19 games and combined to allow four sacks, seven quarterback hits and 88 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Thuney and Dalman earned Pro Bowl honors while Thuney was named First Team All-Pro.
Wright took a major step in his third season after he injured his elbow in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys. The former top-10 draft pick became a dominant force as a run-blocker and improved his pass protection. Wright had the 10th-highest run-blocking grade according to PFF among tackles who played at least 50% of the season’s snaps at 82.7. He rated 21st with a 74.6 passing grade and earned a Second Team All-Pro honor.
Chicago’s offensive line had success despite a revolving door at left tackle. Jones started the first four games before he was replaced by Benedet. He held on to the spot before Trapilo took over in Week 12 after a Benedet injury. Trapilo could be the Bears’ future at the spot after a strong finish before he suffered a ruptured patella tendon in his knee in the NFC Wild Card game.
“It was cool to see them go through the process,” Poles said. “I think one thing with O-line, it’s almost choreographed. You’ve got to work together. It’s a unique position where that’s true. Seeing those guys figure it out early on and then for that to come together, I think the pinnacle of that was probably the (Philadelphia Eagles) game where you could see those guys rolling and we took their identity that day and so it was really cool to see.”
What’s next: For a second straight offseason, the Bears will need to find a solution at left tackle.
Poles told reporters at the end of the season that Trapilo likely won’t return from his injury until late into next season. The Bears could bring back either Benedet or Jones to fill the role until Trapilo comes back. But Johnson moved Thuney to left tackle and had McFadden play left guard in the team’s NFC divisional game instead of starting Benedet or Jones.
Trapilo’s recovery will dictate how the Bears respond during the offseason. Chicago could sign a veteran left tackle in free agency to fill in. But they might be forced to use a draft pick and plan toward the future if the recovery is more serious.
Poles will also likely work on trying to extend Wright, who could earn a top contract after earning All-Pro honors. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs signed a five-year, $140.63 million deal, the highest for an offensive lineman in NFL history, while the Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell signed a four-year, $112 million contract. Chicago will have until May 1 to pick up Wright’s fifth-year option, which Poles will most likely do.
With the rest of the starting unit under contract for next season, the bulk of the Bears’ offensive line focus will be building depth. Chicago didn’t need to use its depth much as the starters mostly stayed healthy. Given the nature of the sport, that likely won’t continue next season.
Newman showed signs he can be a dependable backup and held his own at times this season. The Bears, like any team, will want to draft linemen. While the group played well this season, Chicago will eventually need to make tough decisions down the road.