What was once a liability is now a position of strength for Bears

Bleacher Report recently went through the biggest strengths and weaknesses for each team heading into the 2025 season.

For the Chicago Bears, the selection for the biggest strength was the offensive line.

"What a difference an offseason can make.

The Bears offensive line was far from its greatest strength in 2024, but they completely overhauled the interior trio. You can quibble with the cost of adding Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson, but there's a vastly improved group.

Dalman finished fourth among all centers graded by PFF last season, while Thuney finished seventh among guards. Jackson is an above-average run-blocker who won't be a liability in pass protection.

That interior trio provides the foundation for a group that could be elite if the young tackles take the next step in their progression. Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright have proved their ability to start in the league, but they are both young enough to have another level."
Alex Ballentine

This Bears' offensive line is looking solid going into 2025

This is a fair selection, and as the write-up says, this was not close to being the strength of the unit at this time last year. They are hoping Darnell Wright can take a step forward, and if Ozzy Trapilo shines at left tackle as a rookie, this group could really take a step forward.

For the sake of an argument, you could make a strong case that the receiver corps is the best group, though. While Drew Dalman graded well, he is also coming off an injury, and Atlanta is still starting his replacement. Jonah Jackson is coming off an awful season and is switching to the right side. While Joe Thuney has had an amazing career, the Kansas City Chiefs also decided it was smart to let him go at his age. What do they know?

As noted, Wright is a former top-10 pick but has not quite reached that level, and it is unclear who will start at left tackle, whether a rookie or a veteran coming off a serious injury.

Meanwhile, at wide receiver, it's fair to say that D.J. Moore is coming off a down year, and Rome Odunze did not make a significant impact as a rookie. However, Moore is perennially viewed as a number one caliber receiver, and Odunze is a former top ten pick. Both are coming from the Shane Waldron offense with a rookie quarterback.

When you add in that Luther Burden has legitimate talent as a rookie, and Olamide Zaccheus has been a reliable veteran for years, the depth and potential of high-end talent can beat out the offensive line for the top unit.