Chicago Bears: 5 Big questions regarding training camp

Question Five: Will the Chicago Bears offensive line take a step forward?

Protecting both Andy Dalton and Justin Fields this season will always be priority No. 1. This might pertain more to Dalton as a pocket passer while Fields has the ability to extend plays with his legs, but when will Bears fans get to see that past three preseason games?

It was clear Chicago needed to address the offensive line during the offseason and it happened in the second round when the team drafted Jenkins out of Oklahoma State. The already fan favorite is slotted to start at left tackle with Elijah Wilkinson competing for the backup spot to protect the QB’s blindside.

Filling in the rest of Chicago’s offensive line are James Daniels and Cody Whitehair at the guard and center positions with Alex Bars at the other guard spot and Germain Ifedi at right tackle. Offensive line coach Juan Castillo has depth behind his starters with Wilkinson, Sam Mustipher, rookie Larry Borom and Lachavious Simmons.

Last year, the Bears’ o-line finished 20th according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) end-of-season rankings. PFF writer Ben Linsey made the argument that no offensive lineman finished the season hotter than Whitehair did after moving over from center to left guard in Week 12.

“(Whitehair’s) 88.9 overall grade from Week 12 through the end of the season ranked third among all offensive linemen behind Quenton Nelson and Trent Williams. That run followed a string of four consecutive starts at center with a pass-blocking grade below 30.0,” Linsey wrote in his story.

The Bears’ offense began clicking last season once David Montgomery got it going in the run game. Taking as much pressure off Dalton, who struggled with Dallas last season, and a rookie in Fields can only help the team’s case for a playoff spot.

Let the big boys eat upfront and give Montgomery, Fields, and company more opportunities to reap the benefits. All-in-all, the Bears’ biggest questions going into the season will be the secondary and as always, quarterback play.

With the right pieces in order, these are questions that could be answered as early as training camp and preseason.