If the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass rush is a force capable of flipping Week 12 on its head, then the Chicago Bears’ rebuilt offensive line is the counterweight that could steady the entire matchup.
In a game that will be defined by pressure and execution, Chicago’s upgraded front five will determine whether Caleb Williams operates on his terms or spends four quarters fighting uphill against one of the NFL’s most disruptive edge trios.
Games like this -- mid-November, playoff-relevant, physically demanding -- are precisely why the Bears invested heavily in solidifying the interior of their offensive line in the spring, and enter the game with confidence that they can leave Week 12 at 8-3.
A deeper dive into the bodies up front explains that conviction that remains inside the Bears' facility.
Bears' offensive line can make or break Steelers showdown in Week 12
Left guard Joe Thuney, steady and technically pristine, brings an immediate calming presence as the kind of lineman who not only wins his reps but cleans up messy pockets with his ability to re-anchor, reset, and stay square even when the leverage battle turns chaotic. To his right, new center Drew Dalman adds athletic range and sharp communication, skills essential for identifying Pittsburgh’s pressure looks from T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig.
The Steelers thrive on simulated pressures, late stem movements, and overloaded fronts -- and Dalman’s ability to diagnose and delegate will remain a key all afternoon long.
Right guard Jonah Jackson completed Ryan Poles' interior overhaul, giving Chicago a physical tone-setter who plays with torque and violence in a phone booth. The bottom line... he's built for trench battles like the one that will take place on the NFL-branded turf at Soldier Field.
Then there’s the familiar face: former first-round pick Darnell Wright at right tackle. No longer a wide-eyed rookie, Wright has grown into a stout, sturdy edge protector who matches power with power better than most young tackles. His matchup with Watt will be the headline test, and while nobody “stops” Watt, neutralizing his first step and widening his rush path even slightly can buy Williams the tick of time he needs to stay in rhythm.
Looking at how the front five has performed so far in 2025, it's the kind of offensive line Poles envisioned when they spent big -- veterans in the interior, ascending talent at right tackle (despite questions on the opposite side), and a unit capable of giving a young quarterback clarity instead of chaos.
If they can keep Williams clean, Chicago can dictate pace, lean into their play-action and rhythm-based concepts, and avoid the turnover-worthy situations the Steelers feast on.
Read more: Why Bears' adaptability is driving their stunning midseason breakout
For Chicago, their offensive identity hinges on stability, and it starts right here, with the five players responsible for keeping their franchise quarterback upright.