The Chicago Bears have lots of work to do if they’re going to clean up the mess this organization has become over the past four months. Everything starts with determining who will be calling the shots in the football operations. Is GM Ryan Poles staying or not? If not, they must find a replacement. After that, it is about securing a head coach who can finally provide stability where the organization hasn’t had any for over a decade. Maybe it’s Ben Johnson. Maybe it’s someone else. After that, the agenda becomes much clearer.
Caleb Williams has been sacked 60 times this season. While he holds some responsibility for that, with his tendency to hold the ball at times, the truth is inescapable. The blocking has been bad way too often. This group is dangerously low on high-caliber talent, to say nothing of guys who can actually stay healthy. Everybody expects significant changes. What they aren’t sure about is where those changes will be directed. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune provided clarity. From everything he’s gathered, expect the Bears to completely revamp the three interior spots.
It’s a shame because when Jones has been on the field — he also missed two games in the middle of the season with a knee injury — you can make a case he has been as consistent as any offensive player. The bar isn’t really high for that accolade, but the Bears’ issues on the offensive line start from guard to guard and it’s where I believe the focus will be in rebuilding the line in the offseason.
Now with Jones injured — he will become the third offensive lineman placed on injured reserve, joining Ryan Bates and Bill Murray — it creates more questions about the unit projecting ahead to the offseason and 2025. Jones is in the third year of his four-year rookie contract and will be evaluated by a new coaching staff.
Interior blocking has been a significant weakness for this team for years. Poles have tried to address it with veteran free agents and late-round draft picks, but with little success. Nate Davis was already cut. Matt Pryor is a backup. Teven Jenkins and Coleman Shelton will both be free agents. Some may want Jenkins back. Unfortunately, his track record of poor health hasn’t improved much despite only missing one game this season. The Bears likely want a clean break with fresh faces at all three spots.
This will be a challenge. Overhauling an entire unit in one off-season can go wrong in several ways. However, the Chicago Bears have the resources to pull it off. They hold almost $80 million in salary cap space and three picks in the top 50 of the upcoming draft. If they play their cards right, they should be able to secure three quality starters at both guards and center. The big concern was Braxton Jones’ injury against Detroit. Fears were he might’ve torn his patella, which would’ve put his 2025 season in jeopardy. Thankfully, it was revealed he only fractured his ankle, which is a four-month recovery.
That means the original plan is still in play.
