The Chicago Bears offense has made improvements in three years under general manager Ryan Poles, whether it’s at quarterback, skill position players or offensive line.
When it comes to developing a young quarterback, having a consistent offensive line is key. While Justin Fields wasn’t able to find success, due in some part to the O-line’s early struggles, the hope is that changes with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Tackle might be the team’s biggest strength with Braxton Jones and second-year pro Darnell Wright. Teven Jenkins remains a force at guard, when healthy, and Nate Davis struggled to find consistency battling injuries during his first season in Chicago. The biggest question is at center, where newcomers Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates are currently battling it out for the starting job.
ESPN’s Mike Clay has released his 2024 projections, including ranking every offensive line group in the NFL. Where does Chicago’s offensive line rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:
Aug 18, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Charles Cross (67) blocks against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Cross, Laken Tomlinson, Nick Harris, Anthony Bradford, Abraham Lucas
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) against Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (70) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Paris Johnson Jr., Isaiah Adams, Hjalte Froholdt, Will Hernandez, Jonah Williams
Jan 2, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn (94) is blocked by New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Thomas, Aaron Stinnie, John Michael Schmitz, Jon Runyan, Evan Neal
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) walks off the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Laremy Tunsil, Juice Scruggs, Jarrett Patterson, Shaq Mason, Tytus Howard
Oct 18, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) and running back Chris Thompson (34) block against Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during the second half at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Robinson, Ezra Cleveland, Mitch Morse, Brandon Scherff, Anton Harrison
Oct 28, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga #75 walks off the field against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Taliese Fuaga, Nick Saldiveri, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Trevor Penning
Oct 1, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) reacts to the crowd before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Terron Armstead, Isaiah Wynn, Aaron Brewer, Robert Jones, Austin Jackson
October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Brock Hoffman, Zack Martin, Terence Steele
Oct 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Tristan Wirfs, Graham Barton, Robert Hainsey, Cody Mauch, Luke Goedeke
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 17: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to his game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Dion Dawkins, La’el Collins, Connor J. McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Ronnie Stanley, Sala Aumavae-Laulu, Tyler Linderbaum, Ben Cleveland, Patrick Mekari
Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) blocks at the line of scrimmage against Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (right) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, James Daniels, Troy Fautanu
Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (56) on the sidelines during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill
Nov 29, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Jon Feliciano, Colton McKivitz
Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) celebrates with Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz (63) after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Cornelius Lucas, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie
Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson warms up before the Denver Broncos game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
AJ Jackson, Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, Rob Havenstein
Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace (73) prepares for a play during a White Out football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions shut out the Hawkeyes, 31-0.
Caedan Wallace, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, Michael Onwenu
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (70) attempts to block Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-710622 ORIG FILE ID: 20231029_tbs_hf7_569.JPG
Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Jamaree Salyer, Joe Alt
Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) awaits the snap during overtime against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Andre James, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Delmar Glaze
Dec 31, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (75) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Orlando Brown, Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Trent Brown
Tennessee Titans linebacker Rashad Weaver (99) puts pressure on Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) as offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) tries to hold him off during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.
Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton
Offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (77) runs through drills during Tennessee Titans practice at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
J.C. Latham, Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry, Daniel Brunskill, Dillon Radunz
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 10: Teven Jenkins #76 of the Chicago Bears in action against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright
Nov 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins (74) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (97) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom
Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey (52) lines up across from Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (97) during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Wanya Morris, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor
Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (69) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Sam Mustipher, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) in a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cameron Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson
Sep 13, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (right) guards Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Abry Jones (left) during the second half at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith
December 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary
Aug 21, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) blocs Houston Texans outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (50) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses
Aug 19, 2020; Berea, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) blocks tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during training camp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin
Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell takes the field for the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell