The Chicago Bears had a productive offseason that solved most questions. However, two questions have emerged about some of the decisions that they made. What the Bears plan to do at left tackle and center are the two biggest questions entering the summer, writes Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated.
The Chicago Bears have two massive questions on the offensive lineÂ
Surprise retriments and a devastating injury put the Bears in a spot that they did not want to be this offseason. They thought they positioned themselves well with Drew Dahlman and Ozzy Trapilo last offseason. On paper, both of those players looked like starters for the foreseeable future.
However, Dahlman retired, and an Achilles injury to Trapilo has him unlikely to play at all this season. The Bears had to move quickly, and left tackle, they had to thread a tight needle of getting a short-term replacement who does not impact the long-term development of Trapilo. So, there is a competition at both of the most important offensive line spots.Â
At center, it will come down to Garrett Bradbury against Logan Jones. Bradbury was the quick pivot that they traded for, who can fill the gap in the short term. However, he is not the solution beyond this year, and hopefully not the solution after October. Jones is the man that they want to start beyond this year, which is why they drafted him in round 2.Â
However, they are not completely sure he is ready to start in Week 1, which is fair. This is why the Bears have Bradbury to hold things down until then.
At left tackle, it is a bit more wide open. Braxton Jones is back after an injury-plagued season, and he is likely the leader to get the first snaps in training camp. However, he has not locked down his job, and his market in free agency shows that not many view him as a starter. Jedrick Wills has a first-round pedigree, but he missed all of last season. He could be the higher impact swing than Jones, but could also be out of the competition by August. Then, there is Theo Benedet. Benedet is supposed to be a project, but he had to start last year.
Does the experience give him a leg up moving into the 2026 season, or did the Bears see enough, which is why the other two are the favorites? It is a fair question.
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