A comment in one analysis of NFL offseason improvements should douse hopes Bears fans have of landing a splashy pick in the first round, or at least point them back in the direction of reality.
Excitement generated by the possibility of a top running back like Ashton Jeanty, a pass rusher like Mason Graham or even a tight end like Tyler Warren is probably wasted energy until the Bears take care of their greatest remaining needs.
One is the same need they had before free agency started and that is building up their offensive line.
Sure, they spent $42 million on a contract for center Drew Dalman, traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson but can they even afford to assume they've fixed their problems?
Why Drew Dalman is a perfect fit for Ben Johnson's offense 🐻 pic.twitter.com/0RdkhisJR0
— PFF (@PFF) March 19, 2025
On paper, they have what could be a formidable front with tackles Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones added in, but SI.com writer Gilberto Manzano reminds everyone how this isn't exactly the first time GM Ryan Poles sought to address line problems.
Manzano called the Bears the fourth-most improved NFL team following initial stages of free agency before adding, "But GM Ryan Poles has made a few notable offensive line moves in the past that haven't panned out on the field."
Despite Poles' assumed expertise on offensive linemen as a former lineman himself, there was:
Nate Davis gives up the sack. Not terrible protection but gets out over his feet and gets beat. #DaBears #Bears pic.twitter.com/cL3xFiklW1
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 17, 2024
pretty great block from jonah jackson (LG 73) pic.twitter.com/0F92hpEMtz
— mike faltas (@mfaltas_) July 3, 2024
Then there were the stop-gap measures like $7.5 million for tackle Riley Reiff for one year and backup guard Michael Schofield.
General lack of quality depth to handle eventualities on game day have proven their biggest line problem, along with lack of general time together for starters due to the injuries. Thirty times in Poles' three seasons as GM they have switched the starting offensive lines, and almost all due to injuries.
Whether they have the kind of depth necessary to attack another NFL season now needs to be seriously questioned.
Tried to stay off Twitter tonight, just want to make one comment:
Kiran Amegadjie needed a red shirt year. I said it when he was drafted. I am not some brilliant draft analyst but if I saw it, Ryan Poles should have too.
Meaning: Either Poles didn't see it and was comfortable… pic.twitter.com/5ILA47tgKU
— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) December 17, 2024
The best backup tackle is 2024 third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie, who never had a fair chance to display his skills last year after rehabbing from an injury and missing offseason and training camp.
They have Bates as the chief backup guard and center, although he has played only 135 snaps since 2022 in Buffalo. And that was the only year he ever was a regular starter in the NFL.
They have the promise of guard Bill Murray, a converted defensive lineman who had everyone believing they might have found the proverbial needle in the haystack with his play. However, he only played 42 downs before suffering a season-ending torn pectoral muscle. He's been in four NFL games, one with New England in 2022.
"Who'd have thought Doug Kramer would fumble right there? Not me!" 🤪🤡 pic.twitter.com/JtSxPfPSKR
— Brandon Driver (@Sentient_Egg) November 17, 2024
Then there is Doug Kramer, another backup center who gets used more as a fullback but did get some experience lining up at guard for the first time last year.
Beyond that:
Watching Bears tape and good lord that offensive line did Caleb Williams no favors!
Coleman Shelton got blasted here 🤣 pic.twitter.com/MWELE8N5hC
— Michael Hauff (@TheFFRealist) March 23, 2025
The Bears haven't addressed all their major needs when they still lack an edge rush candidate or even two for the rotation, and especially when they don't have enough high-quality offensive linemen poised and ready to come into games.
Under Ben Johnson, the Lions' offense had times when they had injury issues but could fall back on a draft pick like Logan Stenberg, reliable center/guard
Evan Brown, fifth-round guard Colby Sorsdal and tackle Dan Skipper and sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany.
RT Armand Membou in pass pro vs Jack Sawyer (2023 Cotton Bowl) pic.twitter.com/WjTvy2BG9X
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 24, 2025
Skill positions are for show and produce little on their own unless the line of scrimmage can be controlled.
Thirty offensive line starting lineup switches in three years says the Bears haven't addressed this need until their fallback is bringing in draft picks with a ton of upside after someone is hurt.
Lions without Pro Bowlers Jonah Jackson and Frank Ragnow on the interior OL in addition to their RG Hal Vaitai and top OG back-up? No problem.
Watch the 6’9” LG Dan Skipper (#70), just elevated from the practice squad, block Safety Percy Butler (#35) 15 yards down the field ⛸ pic.twitter.com/E4yuxn6cuf
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) September 18, 2022
They'll have plenty of opportunities to add quality offensive line backups to train in the first two days of the draft.
Poles needs to be serious and have the numbers of Kelvin Banks, Armand Membou, Will Campbell and Grey Zabel ready to go on Day 1, whether at No. 10 or after trading positions.
Grey Zabel (OL #74, North Dakota State) + lo-fi pra relaxar.
Um dos melhores OLs de toda a classe. Ótima combinação de técnica, atleticismo e atitude dentro de campo. First rounder! pic.twitter.com/KJZ11eW15Q
— cristian (@Cristianspfc_) March 15, 2025