The expectation for the Chicago Bears offseason is that the team will add at least three new starters to their offensive line.
The Bears have three 2024 starters hitting free agency in Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, and Matt Pryor. Jenkins' return to the Bears has all but been ruled out. There could be a path toward Shelton returning to the Bears, especially if the Bears plan to take a rookie center at some point during the 2025 NFL Draft. A case can also be made for Pryor to return as the veteran would provide depth at both the guard and tackle positions.
Regardless, a potential return of either Shelton or Pryor shouldn't mask the fact that the Bears' 2025 starting offensive line must look completely different than their 2024 starting offensive line. Good time to remind everyone that Trey Smith is expected to hit free agency.
Beyond targeting guard, many Bears fans are hopeful the team will address the offensive line with their first overall selection of the draft. The Bears hold the No. 10 pick in this year's draft, and Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report has the dream trade of the team's offseason.
"The question here isn't whether or not the 6'6", 323-pounder would be a good fit for the Bears with the 10th overall pick. It's whether Campbell will fall that far to begin with. It would be unusual for the first offensive lineman of a draft to come off the board that late, especially one as well-regarded as Campbell," Davenport makes the pitch for the Bears to prioritize drafting Campbell.
Will Campbell would be a perfect 2025 NFL offseason move for the Bears
In an offseason where Myles Garrett, Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel, and Micah Parsons might all be on the trade block, the dream trade for the Bears is ensuring they are able to draft Campbell.
That is the type of urgency Ryan Poles should be operating with. An offensive lineman such as Smith becoming available in free agency is often the exception instead of expectation. Great offensive linemen are found in the draft. If we get to May and the Bears have an offensive line that has Campbell, Smith, and Darnell Wright, that would be a massive victory for the team's offseason.