Pro Football Focus' ranking of the Chicago Bears' offensive line will shock fans

If the Chicago Bears do not live up to expectations during the 2024 season, many fans believe that will be because the starting offensive line was not given enough attention.

The Bears do have some building blocks on their starting offensive line with right tackle Darnell Wright and left guard Teven Jenkins but questions remain at the other three starting spots.

Braxton Jones continues to exceed any expectation that was had of him after being selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft but he also did not take a step forward during his sophomore campaign in 2023. Veteran Nate Davis' availability remains uncertain given his lack of participation in the Bears' offseason program while the team does not have a defined center between Ryan Bates or Coleman Shelton.

Despite the Bears' offensive line not passing the eye test, Pro Football Focus often has graded the unit higher than anticipated. In ranking the top offensive line units across the NFL, Pro Football Focus listed the Bears at No. 11.

"11. CHICAGO BEARS
The Bears' offensive line, as it got healthy, was one of the top units in the NFL toward the second half of the 2023 season. Center Ryan Bates is expected to complete the unit and bring it to the next level.

In Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, Chicago has a promising young offensive tackle duo. And Teven Jenkins has performed extremely well since moving to guard, earning 70.0-plus PFF overall grades in 2022 and 2023."

- Pro Football Focus

The ranking appears to be leaning heavily on the idea that Bates at center will be a significant upgrade for the Bears' offensive line. That does not appear to be something that is derived from much data, considering Bates wasn't a full-time center in his time with the Buffalo Bills, and the Bills decided to move him while also cutting their starting center.

Ideally, the Bears add another center this offseason who also has experience playing guard. Connor Williams remains a free agent looking to sign a one-year deal to re-establish his value. If healthy, Williams' addition could ascend the Bears' offensive line as a whole.