Ranking Chicago Bears in NFC North interior defensive line
![Sep 19, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Angelo Blackson (90) celebrates after making an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports Sep 19, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Angelo Blackson (90) celebrates after making an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbeargoggleson-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F16788050-850x560-9ec890a6ac6165545f1508a28497628a8d349730cd6fc0d891054df00016c6e6.jpg)
As we get to the end of the month, we are entering the middle of our rankings season. This is the time between OTAs and training camp when it is perfect to see how the Chicago Bears compare to the other teams in the NFL.
We have hit the offensive side of the football and now will shift to the defensive side. With that, we are going to look at the interior defensive line. We are going to assume who the top four interior defensive linemen will be. This will look at the room as a whole from one through four.
4. Chicago Bears: Justin Jones, Angelo Blackson, Mario Edwards, Khyiris Tonga
Last year at this time the Chicago Bears had Angelo Blackson, Mario Edwards, and Khyiris Tonga behind Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols, and Eddie Goldman. Now, it is just Justin Jones ahead of them. Needless to say, there was a drop off from last year and this year.
Even with Justin Jones the Chicago Bears essentially admitted that he was not their top plan, but rather their backup from missing on Larry Ogunjobi. Perhaps if Ogunjobi were here the team could be argued for being a step up.
Still, with Justin Jones being a signing that they were not as high on themselves, and then returning the depth they had last year is not what is going to get respect as a highly ranked team. Blackson has been efficient on a snap-by-snap basis, but he needs to prove that he can take on more snaps and still play as well. Edwards is a versatile player and Tonga is a nose tackle.
This is not enough to get ranked higher.