The Chicago Bears could field one of the league's best offensive lines in 2024 if all players reach their potential. General manager Ryan Poles has made several shrewd moves this offseason to upgrade that unit. Interior linemen Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates were acquired to provide better depth. Sophomore right tackle Darnell Wright is expected to establish himself as a Pro Bowl-caliber tackle this season.
Pro Football Focus' recently ranked all 32 offensive line units across the league. The Bears ranked 11th, falling just outside the top 10. Chicago's offensive line has taken clear-cut steps forward, and mainstream media publications are beginning to take appropriate notice.
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— PFF (@PFF) July 1, 2024
32. ?@PFF_Zoltan ranks all 32 offensive lineshttps://t.co/mx75OZP0X9
"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," Zoltán Buday wrote. "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," Buday concluded.
The real questions in front of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams for Chicago appear at center and right guard. Will Shelton and/or Bates provide upgrades on last year's tandem of Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick? Will Nate Davis begin living up to the three-year, $30 million contract he signed last offseason? If the Bears' starting five meets expectations, Williams will be protected by one of the best offensive lines in the league this season.