The Chicago Bears have seen some significant improvements along the offensive line this season, but left tackle could still be upgraded.
The defensive line has not seen the same amount of success despite pouring financial resources and key draft capital into it. One thing is clear from this season: finding a pass rusher is more important than trying to upgrade the left tackle position.
Bears need help on the pass rush
Heading into the 2025 offseason, fans knew that the two most significant areas of concern for this team were the offensive and defensive lines. Most teams would agree that you win in the trenches. This is an area that has been lacking for the Chicago Bears over the last few years.
No matter the outcome of these final four games, one thing is painfully clear. The Chicago Bears need to improve their pass rush in 2026. In fact, this needs to be a priority over finding a new left tackle.
Ryan Poles went out and heavily addressed both sides of the ball this offseason. The offensive line appears to be fixed, even though the left tackle position has been anything but consistent.
To start the year, Braxton Jones was given the first crack at maintaining his starting position. Things were not going well to the point Ben Johnson and company moved on to a second-year undrafted free agent in Theo Benedet. Now, with Benedet dealing with an injury, rookie tackle Ozzy Trapilo has been tasked with protecting Caleb Williams' blind side.
On the opposite side of the ball, it pains me to say this, but Gervon Dexter has not taken the step I expected of him this season. Dexter has not been as impactful at getting to the quarterback as I would have hoped. He has four sacks on the season, but hasn't had one in four weeks. He only has 12 pressures on the year, too, after having 23 in 2024.
Montez Sweat is quietly having a strong 2025 campaign
One defensive lineman who is having an outstanding season statistically is Montez Sweat. Sweat has 8.5 sacks on the year, which puts him on pace for 11. That would be the second-best sack season of his career.
He's at least having a better year than last season, when he only had 5.5 sacks and 22 pressures. He already has 21 pressures in 13 games this year. The problem is that even with his production, the Bears are ranked 26th in sacks. No one has been consistently making a big enough impact.
The Chicago Bears are second in the NFL in rushing yards. Caleb Williams has only been sacked 20 times, which is tied for the fourth fewest sacks allowed this year. This is a complete 180 after he was sacked 68 times in 2024.
Ozzy Trapilo has started the last three games at left tackle and has not allowed a sack. He's given up five pressures in that span. Seeing their second-round pick find success, even with some chipping help, against the Steelers, Eagles, and Packers' defensive fronts is highly encouraging. Now he'll face off against the Browns.
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Watching the offensive line have the type of success we have seen over the season compared to how poorly the defensive line has played makes it painfully apparent that Ryan Poles needs to target a pass rusher over left tackle in the offseason. Unfortunately, I'm not sure he will have the capital to find a true difference-maker.