Ryan Poles knew he was taking a quarterback #1 overall. He also knew he’d have to ensure he did everything possible to supply that quarterback with tools. The Chicago Bears GM made some highly-celebrated moves. He traded for Keenan Allen, signed D’Andre Swift, and drafted Rome Odunze. However, Poles did get some criticism from some circles for not doing more to help the offensive line. Outside of adding Coleman Shelton in free agency and Ryan Bates via trade, the Bears were bringing back the same group from last season.
A group that included the unreliable Nate Davis.
Through two games to start the season, it looks like the Poles made a colossal mistake taking that bargain route. Sunday night in Houston was one of the ugliest by the Bears offensive line in years, which is saying something. They allowed seven sacks, 11 hits, and 36 pressures on Caleb Williams throughout the game. It was a straight massacre. Davis and Shelton were the primary culprits, constantly unable to pick up stunts or blitzes. Yet even Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright struggled.
Part of the Bears’ problems with developing quarterbacks has been their inability to protect them. Justin Fields and Mitch Trubisky endured many of those same issues. If Poles isn’t careful, he will let the same thing happen to Williams. The coaches aren’t exempt from this, either. The inability to stay assignment sound or avoid pre-snap penalties falls on Matt Eberflus, Shane Waldron, and Chris Morgan. This is nothing like the group that finished 2023. That line actually blocked pretty well.
This problem sits at the feet of Ryan Poles. He must start searching for alternatives. The coaches need to throw out whatever plans they have and find something that works. Nothing about this current approach is sustainable.
