If there is one lesson the Chicago Bears are learning after this offseason, it is that while spending money on the offensive line is great, the age of the group is starting to show early.
A lot has been discussed about the inconsistent play of the offensive line in Chicago. Right tackle Darnell Wright has been banged up with an elbow injury and leads the Bears' line with six penalties in just three games. Jonah Jackson has the lowest PFF grade of any offensive lineman while surrendering eight quarterback pressures.
There have been struggles with Braxton Jones at left tackle to the point where Theo Benedet took over for Jones, and rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo moved up to right tackle in the Bears' 25-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. That move clearly paid off, as Chicago picked up the victory.
It might be time for the Bears to start thinking about the future of the offensive line. Trapilo is looking good at right tackle, and Benedet might end up starting at left tackle as early as Week 6.
That leaves Jackson's right guard position. Could the Bears be in the market to replace him in 2026?
Bears replace Jackson in latest 2026 NFL mock draft
NFL Spin Zone's Sayre Bedinger shares his latest mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft. Bedinger has the Bears picking 16th overall and taking Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.
"The Chicago Bears have been projected to take a running back in the last 800 mock drafts we’ve made, so let’s go a different direction for a change. When Ben Johnson was with the Detroit Lions, they obviously had the two-headed monster of Montgomery and Gibbs at the running back position, but those guys benefited from an absolutely elite offensive line. Jonah Jackson isn’t a long-term piece for the Bears and Francis Mauigioa can play guard if needed."
Last season, Mauigioa was a second-team All-ACC selection as a sophomore and has established himself as one of the top linemen in the country. Since he is projected as a first-round pick, there's a good chance that with another solid season, he will declare for the draft a year early.
At 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds, Mauigioa would be a great fit to at least sit behind Jackson for one season, as he is under contract through the 2027 season. After that point, Mauigioa could transition to start at right guard. This season is showing that the move could be made even sooner than that.
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There is a seismic shift that may occur on the Bears' offensive line that wasn't predicted at the beginning of the season. It might be for the best, though, to find another starting guard and get this unit younger. Remember, this is all about setting Caleb Williams up for the most success in five to 10 years.