The Chicago Bears fans will always be wild and crazy, and I love most moments of it. But can we relax about the offensive line for a bit? Is it looking a bit rough? Sure. Is Ryan Poles supposed to be the man to fix the offensive line? Yes. Many act like he hasn't been trying. Unlike Ryan Pace, Poles continues to bring in offensive linemen through the draft, free agency, and trades. We have to sit back and watch them learn.
Not all offensive linemen are great, and not all are going to figure it out right away. Braxton Jones has played very well as a fifth-round pick. Heck, in my opinion, Jones has been better than Charles Leno Jr (former Bears left tackle). Some might say that isn't saying much. Still, CLJ has been a slightly above-average left tackle in the NFL, and Jones has been slightly better than him.
The Chicago Bears don't need world-class athletes at every position. Would it be nice? Heck yeah. But building an all-star roster isn't easy. Teven Jenkins has been the bright spot on the offensive line. Most worry about his injury history, and rightfully so. Jenkins is one of the best guards in the league when healthy. Jenkins needs to focus on how he can play a full season healthy for multiple seasons.
The two players fighting for the center position might not have much of a battle at the rate Nate Davis is disappointing everybody. Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates have been getting their butts kicked by Gervon Dexter. All of the defensive line has been working on the offensive line, with the exception of Teven Jenkins. Either the offensive line isn't good right now, or the defensive line is becoming a force. I'm going to assume the O-line isn't where it is supposed to be yet. And that's okay; it is a work in progress.
Bears News: Offensive line progression and 2024 NFL Preseason thoughts.
I know I am skipping on Darnell Wright and maybe moving on to something not a lot of people are talking about. It seems Coach Eberflus is deploying a new front. Dexter has spent a lot of time with the edge rushers, which we figured could happen, but not only has DeMarcus Walker been getting a lot of reps as an inside rusher, but so have Jacob Martin, Dominique Robinson, and Austin Booker. If that doesn't perk up your ears, I don't know what else would.
Three of them are 240lb edge rushers. Deploying them from the inside is as silly as using a 6'0, 280lb defensive tackle. Oh, wait, that defensive tackle (Aaron Donald) is going to go in the HoF. I am truly hoping this becomes a thing. I hope Matt Eberflus and Eric Washington said everybody knows we need a 3-tech. Without one, the defense doesn't function, so let's force a rush package that makes it so it's not as vital. I hope Dexter becomes the man, but I would much rather see a unique defense that the NFL hasn't seen before deployed.
I have mentioned this next statement in the past. In order for a team to become a dynasty, they not only need talent and coaching, but that team needs to change the game. Many teams have deployed edge rushers inside, but how many have used the 3-4 edge rushers inside with their hands in the dirt? Maybe the coaching staff figured something out... Like speed kills