After allowing an NFL-high 68 sacks last year, it was safe to assume the Chicago Bears were going to do some major work on the offensive line. And Bears general manager Ryan Poles did exactly that.
The additions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson marked the start of new building blocks to protect quarterback Caleb Williams. Bleacher Report writer Brent Sobleski liked the moves so much that he called the Bears' offensive line the most improved position group in the NFL entering the 2025 season.
"On the first day of the new league year, the Bears completed trades for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, who is the key to this group as a four-time Super Bowl winner and the veteran leader of the new-look unit.
A day after Thuney and Jackson joined the roster, Chicago signed Drew Dalman as a free agent, making him the highest-paid center on this year's market. He started 40 games over the last three seasons for the Atlanta Falcons.
Finally, Poles created competition at left tackle with the second-round selection of Boston College's Ozzy Trapilo. Braxton Jones has been reliable as the Bears' blindside protector during his first three seasons, but he's coming off a broken ankle he suffered in December and the rookie may prove to be an upgrade.
An increased comfort level in the pocket should be huge for Williams, allowing him to develop and reach his full potential."
A lot has changed with the offensive line in Chicago
Let's be fair to the Bears' offensive line last year; all those 68 sacks weren't necessarily on them. Williams struggled to get the ball out quickly enough and could have avoided some of those sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bears were tied for eighth in pass blocking grade with 72.8.
Repairing the offensive line in the offseason wasn't all about pass protection. Chicago was ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing yards per game with 102. Not being able to get a good running back like D'Andre Swift to break for many long runs was also a significant concern.
Recent champions, such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, have proven that investing in the offensive line yields titles. The Bears went with that strategy and knocked it out of the park.
Thuney has been among the best guards in the NFL with three straight Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections with the Chiefs. Jackson was a Pro Bowler in 2021 with the Detroit Lions and has a good relationship with the new Bears head coach, Ben Johnson, after their time together in Detroit. Dalman lost half the season last year, but the 26-year-old center can build chemistry with Williams for a long time.
Even their second-round pick, Trapilo, has a chance to be a future starter for this team. There are questions about Jones' recovering from his late-season injury, and Trapilo could even end up starting in 2025.
Read more: Recent Bears draft pick is already a cut candidate ahead of training camp
It's never a bad idea to invest a lot of money in the trenches to improve. Chicago followed that plan and now has a solid foundation for the next few years.