The Chicago Bears are making bold moves to overhaul their offensive line, aiming to bolster their pass protection and rushing attack as they enter free agency with nearly $79 million in salary cap space. With four draft picks in the top 72, the Bears are poised to make strategic selections, potentially focusing on an offensive lineman in the first round as projected by ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates, and Jordan Reid. The team's recent trades and signings reflect their intent to reshape both the offensive and defensive lines, addressing key areas that underperformed last season.
The Bears have already signed left guard Damien Lewis, center Austin Corbett, and right guard Robert Hunt to strengthen their offensive line. These signings aim to improve a unit that allowed 136.3 rushing yards per game last season, placing them 28th in the league. Notably, Chicago's defense struggled with runs between the tackles, conceding 5.1 yards per rush, the worst in the NFL. By targeting elite guards like Lewis and Hunt, Chicago hopes to reverse these trends.
Coach Ben Johnson highlighted the transformative potential of such acquisitions, referencing the Panthers' success last season.
"There are a number of teams that did that last year," Johnson said last week at the NFL combine. "The Panthers come to mind, when they went out in free agency and got a couple of top guards, really changed the dynamic of their offense. You saw them clicking there in the second half of the season once they really started to gel. There's no question that you can change the dynamic of the room just like that."
The Bears' front office is keenly aware of the importance of finding the right combination of players to solidify their line play. This approach does not necessarily require an entirely new starting lineup but rather an enhancement of existing talent.
"That doesn't necessarily mean we need five new starters, because all it takes is one individual to blow up a play. And so we're just identifying where we can get a little bit better, and we're going to continue to raise that floor, and we'll find the right mix of five to eight, nine, 10 guys." – Coach Ben Johnson
With players like Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney registering pass block win rates of 98.5% and 98.2% respectively, these metrics highlight the caliber of talent available that Chicago may consider adding. Such performances are crucial for a team looking to enhance its offensive line efficiency.
The Bears have not used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since 2013, yet this year's draft offers them a prime opportunity to secure a cornerstone player. The addition of a top-tier lineman could complement their recent signings and address their need for a new center. Additionally, leveraging their draft capital allows the Bears to allocate resources elsewhere in free agency, potentially targeting top free agents next week.
Beyond bolstering their offensive front, Chicago must also address issues on the defensive side. The interior defensive line requires attention to withstand opposing rushing attacks and create pressure on quarterbacks. By preserving cap space through strategic draft picks, the Bears are well-positioned to make impactful free-agent acquisitions across various positions.
Atlanta's Drew Dalman exemplified elite pass blocking with a win rate of 95.1% over nine games last season. Such performances underscore the value of strong interior line players, whom Chicago will likely seek to emulate through both draft selections and free-agent signings.
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