The Chicago Bears have not had a great offensive line in recent years. For at least one season, it was arguably the worst in the league. But GM Ryan Poles has taken several swings at that position group since joining the team, and it appears to finally be paying off. As of this writing, the Bears have 16 offensive linemen on the 90-man training camp roster.
Here's how the Bears' offensive line breaks down heading into 2024 training camp.
Darnell Wright
The 10th overall pick in 2023, Wright immediately impacted the offensive line, locking down the right tackle position and stonewalling some of the very best pass rushers in the league. Assuming his progression continues into 2024, he could become an elite right tackle by 2025.
Matt Pryor
The six-year offensive tackle joins Chicago after stints with the Eagles, Colts, and 49ers. His career has been up and down, from not allowing a single sack in over 400 snaps in 2021 to allowing six sacks the very next season. Still, his experience makes him a strong contender for a backup role on the final roster.
Braxton Jones
Jones has been a rare success story for Chicago's offensive line, having far outplayed his fifth-round draft status in 2022. As a rookie, he earned a 75.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, and last season, he allowed just two sacks.
Teven Jenkins
2024 is a critical year for Jenkins. When he's healthy, Jenkins is one of the best guards in the NFL. The problem is that he missed significant time in his three NFL seasons. If he wants to sign an extension with Chicago, he must remain healthy for close to every single snap.
Jake Curhan
An undrafted rookie free agent in 2021, Curhan has played limited snaps in his career thus far, mainly as a backup. Like Pryor, he has the experience to make a push for the 53-man roster as a swing tackle.
Aviante Collins
Collins returns after signing with the Bears last offseason and will likely hit the practice squad again.
Larry Borom
Bears fans may be seeing the last of Larry Borom in 2024. Selected in the same draft as Teven Jenkins, it's hard to imagine him signing an extension in Chicago, especially given some of the additions that Ryan Poles has made to the offensive line. Still, he's got the talent and the experience to be a reliable swing tackle in the NFL. Maybe Poles will want to keep him around for depth and familiarity.
Theo Benedet
Benedet is an intriguing addition. He was a star offensive tackle for the University of British Columbia in Canada and signed with the Bears after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft (he was drafted by the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League at 15th overall.) The six-foot-seven, 295-pound offensive tackle also put on a clinic at his pro day.
Benedet is someone that Bears fans will want to watch closely in training camp.
Kiran Amegadjie
The third-round rookie is unlikely to see the field much in 2024 unless it's in relief of an injured starter. He's still recovering from an injury in his final college season but is also coming from Yale, an Ivy League team. The jump to the NFL will be significant and will likely require a lot of watching and learning. Still, some analysts and the Bears believe they have themselves a sleeper in Amegadjie.
Coleman Shelton
The six-year veteran joins Chicago after four seasons with the LA Rams. He brings plenty of experience as a starting Center, including five playoff games. He'll compete with fellow newbie to the Bears Ryan Bates for that starting Center role.
Ryan Bates
Ryan Poles had tried to acquire Bates as a restricted free agent in 2022, but the Buffalo Bills matched his offer. This offseason, Poles traded a fifth-round pick for him. Bates has been a reliable if unspectacular member of Buffalo's talented offensive line and can play either center or guard.
Bill Murray
Sadly, not the actor. Murray returns after signing to the Bears practice squad last offseason and will likely land back on the practice squad.
Nate Davis
Like Jenkins, Davis is facing a critical 2024 season. A lackluster 2023 combined with missing significant practice time and regular-season games has left him on thin ice, and he's already missed OTAs. I can't imagine the Bears have too much patience left for him to live up to his contract.
Jerome Carvin
The former Tennessee Volunteer signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted in 2023 and now joins Chicago. He has plenty of college experience at all three interior offensive line positions.
Ja'Tyre Carter
The seventh-round pick in 2022 has seen limited action so far. With some of the recent additions to the interior offensive line, he will have to find a new level in training camp to keep his spot on the 53-man roster.
Doug Kramer Jr.
A fan-favorite from the hometown college, University of Illinois. He was briefly claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 but returned to Chicago a week later. He's likely to return to the practice squad in 2024.