The Chicago Bears knew they needed to do everything in their power to build a rock-solid offensive line around Caleb Williams during the first year of the Ben Johnson regime, and they have wasted no time in trying to trade for some new additions.
Not even 24 hours after agreeing to trade for former Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson, the Bears have brought in arguably the best interior lineman in football by acquiring Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
The Bears' offensive line was the subject of league-wide mockery last year, as it made life difficult for a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams who came into the NFL with a propensity to hold onto the ball for too long.
The Bears are trying everything they can to not only provide immediate short-term improvements, but to also give Chicago a line that Johnson can lean on as he tries to turn this team around. The latest depth chart is much more promising than what Bears fans are used to seeing up front.
Updated Chicago Bears OL depth chart after Joe Thuney trade
Position | Starter | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
LT | Braxton Jones | Kiran Amegadjie | |
LG | Joe Thuney | Tevin Jenkins (FA) | Jake Curhan (FA) |
C | Coleman Shelton (FA) | Doug Kramer | |
RG | Jonah Jackson | Matt Pryor (FA) | Ryan Bates |
RT | Darnell Wright | Larry Borom (FA) |
Johnson's work is not done just yet. The tackles are still a weak spot, as Braxton Jones is far from a Pro Bowl tackle and former first-round pick Darnell Wright hasn't taken the leap many expected from him. Those two will need to figure themselves out soon, lest they end up being replaced in free agency.
With the two new guards in Thuney and Jackson coming to town, it seems unlikely that Teven Jenkins and Matt Pryor will be retained in free agency. While Jenkins had some promise. Bears fans may not be too broken up about this after these two new additions.
If the Bears are able to bring in some competition at left tackle, all while using one of the three Top 50 picks on someone who can play center, the offensive line rebuild can officially be called a major success. Johnson may have a reputation as an aerial circus ringmaster, but his Lions teams were built on a strong offensive line.
With Jackson likely to have a bounce-back season in Johnson's old Lions scheme and Thuney fresh off a year that was so impressive he earned Offensive Player of the Year votes as a left guard, the Bears may finally have a group that can keep Williams upright and ready to pick apart defenses.