As free agency winds down and the Chicago Bears shift their focus to the upcoming draft, it is only right to look at the rest of the division and examine where the franchise has made up ground. While the Bears are defending NFC North champs, both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions deserve respect based on their recent accomplishments. With this in mind, fans can't help but appreciate the clear question mark Detroit's offensive line has become with the league moving deeper into the 2026 offseason.
Right tackle Taylor Decker departed a season after Frank Ragnow opted to retire and walk away. These are two defining stalwarts on the Lions' offensive line that the franchise has lost. Add in the retirement of respected swing tackle and extra lineman Dan Skipper, and this is a unit Chicago can't help but believe they can expose.
The Lions already struggled at times to protect Goff before the loss of Decker, giving up 38 sacks this past season. Chicago can't help but consider the talent they have on the inside with Grady Jarrett and edge rushers Montez Sweat and Austin Booker, and the ability of this trio to now take advantage of the current turmoil.
Bears Can't Help but Appreciate Detroit's Continued OL Woes
It is important to note here that the Lions did bring in center Cade Mays in free agency, offering a clear upgrade at the position. However, this is a new system, and the addition of Mays doesn't offset the loss of a reliable tackle with Larry Borom entering the fray as the current underwhelming successor. Chicago can't help but hope this stays the case, and the Lions opt not to add anyone else of note at the position.
Detroit is armed with a selection in the first and second rounds of this year's draft, as well as two picks in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds of the draft. It wouldn't be at all surprising to see the franchise attempt to recoup a bit of the lost depth and bring in a tackle to compete for the starting role. While adding a high-level prospect with one of those picks is obviously not in Chicago's best interests, the possibility must be noted as we move closer to the draft.
Still, there is no getting around the fact that the current offensive line is a clear concern for Detroit and a possible advantage for the Bears. This is helped by the fact that Goff is far from the league's most mobile quarterback and can't hope to escape to slip away from trouble as Caleb Williams has done so often.
A leaky offensive line is a recipe for the Bears to continue to maintain their grip on the NFC North and for the Lions to have another frustrating season. While there is still plenty of time for this narrative to change, the Bears can't help but sit back and enjoy their current rival's concerns as the 2026 offseason continues.