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Bears Land Pro Bowl Offensive Lineman in ESPN Offseason Prediction

By Joseph Grassano

Nov 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, right watches during the first half of the NCAA football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Northwestern Wildcats
Nov 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, right watches during the first half of the NCAA football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Northwestern Wildcats / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Chicago Bears officially hired Ben Johnson as their next head coach on Tuesday. Although it was reported early Monday afternoon that Johnson was finalizing a deal to become the Bears' next head coach, he didn't sign the dotted line until early Tuesday afternoon. That said, Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles can now start building their version of this Bears roster.

One area that is bound to see massive overhaul is the Bears offensive line. Johnson understands the importance of good offensive line play from his time in Detroit coaching one of the top lines in the league.

Luckily, this offseason, one of the best offensive guards in the game is likely to be hitting free agency, Trey Smith. Recently, Bears fans have talked about the potential of Smith singing with the team. A recent article by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler will only fuel this discussion, as Fowler also suggested that Smith could end up in Chicago.

Bears News: Jeremy Fowler Predicts Trey Smith Will Land in Chicago This Offseason

""They need help there at guard after the Nate Davis fiasco, and Trey is far and away the best option," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "And they probably need more than him.""

- Jeremy Fowler-ESPN

The NFL personnel evaluator Fowler talked to isn't wrong, the Bears need all the help they can get on the offensive line. Smith would be the perfect place to start. In four NFL seasons, the former sixth-round pick has only allowed eight sacks, 20 QB hits, 112 QB hurries, and 140 QB pressures, according to PFF. Additionally, Smith has never finished a season with an overall grade lower than a 70 from PFF.

Smith's dominant presence on the offensive line is similar to what Johnson had in Detroit with Penei Sewell. Although Smith plays inside and Sewell plays outside, both are Pro Bowl players.

Signing Smith would give Johnson a good start on building the interior of the offensive line. This is important because Johnson showed a tendency to pound the ball through the middle with the Lions. Smith will be a huge step in allowing the Bears to do that.

Despite the Bears track record of not being able to land the top free agents, Johnson's hiring could sway players like Smith to come to Chicago.

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