NEWSLETTER
This offseason, we all expected the Chicago Bears to be aggressive in free agency to address their offensive line problems. And to an extent, they were. Signing right guard Nate Davis was a sizable step toward improving a group that gave us all sorts of heartburn last year. But it looks like the Bears are putting faith in internal improvements, as well.
Courtney Cronin discusses a wide range of topics in her latest at ESPN. And in doing so, lays out what the Bears’ offensive line could look like in 2023. Cronin writes there is an expectation that right guard Teven Jenkins will slide over to the left guard slot. In a corresponding move, left guard Cody Whitehair will shift to center. As for Davis, he plops into the right guard position that he’s been playing as a pro dating back to his time in Tennessee. This doesn’t solve all the Bears’ O-line problems, but it helps in patching up concerns in the middle. And as I can attest, small steps forward still count as steps forward.
With that being said, here is what the Bears offensive line projects to look like in Week 1:
If that looks a little off to you, it is because I’m going out on a limb and predicting Chicago’s starting left tackle will be the player the Bears take with the ninth pick. After hearing Head Coach Matt Eberflus hint at Braxton Jones’ move to right tackle, I’m convinced the Bears have eyes for a rookie at that spot. Which rookie is unknown. Although, there are three — Peter Skoronski, Broderick Jones, Paris Johnson Jr. — who stand out as the best options. And you can make a case for all three being a good selection for the Bears if that’s what it comes to on draft night. But I suppose we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
GM Ryan Poles’ offseason work is far from over, but the Bears’ offensive line is well on its way toward taking shape. And I can’t wait to see what this team does in the draft to further fortify the unit.
