Bears 2024 offseason preview: Where does Chicago stand at offensive line? (2024)

Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) blocks against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-710622 ORIG FILE ID: 20231029_tbs_hf7_519.JPG

• Braxton Jones
• Teven Jenkins
• Nate Davis
• Darnell Wright
• Larry Borom
• Ja’Tyre Carter
• Doug Kramer
• Jerome Carvin
• Roy Mbaeteka

Four of the five starters on the offensive line are set to return for the Bears in 2024. Jones impressed at left tackle during his rookie season and once again anchored that position during Year 2. A neck injury forced him to miss some time early, however. When he returned, Jones had his ups and downs when dealing with some of the NFL’s best edge rushers. He’s proven to be a capable tackle at the professional level, though, as he allowed just two sacks during the season. Speaking of rough starts, Jenkins missed the first four games with a leg injury while also switching positions for the third time in as many years. When he returned, though, he was one of the best guards in the NFL, whether he was playing on the left or right side. Jenkins allowed very little pressure when he was healthy and only struggled in the team’s regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers.

While the Bears moved a few pieces around on their life side of the line, the right side was completely reworked last offseason. Chicago signed guard Nate Davis to a three-year deal worth $30 million after four years with the Tennessee Titans. Davis dealt with personal issues early in the season before suffering an ankle injury in October. When he was back and fully healthy, he was average at best. Davis only allowed one sack but could have had many more if not for Justin Fields’ escapability. As for Wright, he was the team’s first-round pick at right tackle at 10th overall. It’s the first time the Bears have used a top-10 pick on an offensive lineman in 40 years. Wright was the only lineman to play in every game and showed plenty of promise. He was also picked on quite a bit, too. Wright led the Bears line with 11 penalties and seven sacks allowed, but his development was always the goal in Year 1.

Larry Borom headlines the reserves, who spent the past season as the team’s swing tackle. He filled in for Jones during his absence with uninspiring results. Carter filled in for Davis but was primarily used on special teams. Kramer, Carvin, and Mbaeteka were all practice squad players for the most part.

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears guard Lucas Patrick (62) makes a block against Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

• Lucas Patrick
• Cody Whitehair
• Dan Feeney
• Aviante Collins

The Bears are set to lose all three players who played snaps at center last season. Patrick was set to be the backup center for Whitehair before Jenkins’ injury changed their plans. He wound up starting 15 games, but was far from the solution the Bears needed. Patrick was pressured relentlessly and had a PFF grade of 50.5, his lowest since 2019. Patrick’s strongest attributes are his leadership skills, and there could be a spot for him as a reserve lineman, especially considering his versatility at guard and center.

Whitehair was entering the final year of his contract, where he was due to earn $13.5 million, but the Bears opted to release him to save money after he struggled mightily in 2023. Whitehair had the worst season of his career while playing guard and center. He had a PFF grade of 45, the lowest of his career by far, and was way too inconsistent when snapping the ball. The former second-round pick and team captain was benched late in the season, cementing his status with the Bears. While Patrick won’t hit the market until March, Whitehair is free to sign with a team at any time.

Feeney and Collins were primarily backups and special teamers for the Bears in 2023. Poles traded a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Feeney when Jenkins got hurt back in August, but he only ever saw a few offensive snaps. He was on special teams for the vast majority of the season. Collins only played in one game.

Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) walks off the field after the Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 30-24 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears now have around $68 million in free-cap space following the releases of Whitehair and safety Eddie Jackson, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them use some of that to address the offensive line. It’s highly unlikely they plan to spend money at tackle or guard, leaving center as the position that makes the most sense. Lucky for them, a few quality players are hitting the market.

Andre James, Connor Williams, Aaron Brewer, and Lloyd Cushenberry III are four of the top options that could make sense for Chicago. Brewer has familiarity with Davis as well as new assistant offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling, which could be enticing.

If the Bears are looking for help in the draft, they could choose to upgrade the left tackle position with someone like Notre Dame’s Joe Alt or Penn State’s Olu Fashanu with the No. 9 overall pick. Or they could find a rookie center such as Georgia’s Sedrick Van Pran or LSU’s Charles Turner III in the mid-to-late rounds.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 31: Nate Davis #64 of the Chicago Bears celebrates with Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears after Field’s rushing touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Though the Bears offensive line wasn’t exactly a strength in 2023, they improved from the year before. They allowed eight fewer sacks, even with Fields sometimes holding the ball too long, and helped the Bears become the second-best rushing offense in the league with 141.1 yards per game. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them stay the course in four of their five positions. Jones continues to take steps at left tackle, Jenkins is one of the best guards in the league when healthy, Wright is on his way to becoming a great right tackle, and while an argument can be made to move on from Davis, his $11 million cap hit prevents that from happening. Their only major position of need is center, seeing as they don’t have one on the roster at this point.

But it’s not just finding any one player to fill the need. It’s about finding someone who can anchor the interior of the offensive line with solid protection, be an effective communicator up front for the quarterback, and have no issues snapping the ball. It needs to be a fit. Those were all problems for Patrick and Whitehair in 2023, and they put the Bears behind the eight ball even before the play started.

It’s possible Poles doesn’t prioritize the tackle position at any point in the offseason, but the interior of the line should be a focus. They will need to find themselves a center and will likely target one in free agency with multiple options available. But don’t be surprised if they look at the draft to find depth pieces on the interior of the line. Jenkins has injury concerns and is entering a contract year, while Davis could be out after the 2024 season.

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