One of the first things new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson wanted to do for this offense was improve the offensive line.
This was a group from a season ago that was considered the worst in the NFL after allowing 68 sacks, the highest in the league. The offense finished last in total offense and was just as ineffective with running the football.
Chicago went right to work as they reconstructed the interior of the offensive line with left guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman, and right guard Jonah Jackson. The moves to bring in Thuney and Jackson were well worth the price, as the Bears have the best guard combo in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus backs up the fact that Thuney and Jackson are the best guard team
PFF writer Zoltán Buday went through each position to see who had the best one-two punch in the NFL. Chicago landed with the duo of Thuney and Jackson at guard.
"The NFL seems to lack an elite guard duo right now, but the Bears' offseason acquisitions on the interior profile as the league's best.
Jackson played only 267 snaps with the Rams in 2024 and was benched despite having signed a big contract last offseason. In previous years, he ranked among the top 30 guards in PFF overall grade multiple times under then-Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is now the Chicago Bears' head coach. Slightly above-average play from Jackson could be enough to make this duo the best in the NFL.
Joe Thuney is arguably the best pass-blocking guard in the NFL. Before moving to left tackle in 2024, he was playing some of the best football of his career. Between Week 5 and Week 12, he allowed only one pressure on 316 pass plays and earned a 95.6 PFF pass-blocking grade, which led all guards by a significant margin."
Thuney has really hit his stride in the NFL after four years with the Chiefs. He's made the Pro Bowl three consecutive years and was a first-team All-Pro over the last two years. PFF ranked him as the 12th best overall guard in the NFL last year with a grade of 79.9.
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Jackson has been solid even though he only played in four games a season ago with the Los Angeles Rams. He was previously a Pro Bowler with the Detroit Lions in 2021 and has played in Johnson's offensive system before.
Quarterback Caleb Williams should receive the necessary protection in 2025 to further develop his skills and improve his performance. Thuney and Jackson will play a significant role in making sure that happens.