Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: The Offensive Line

Our series previewing the Chicago Bears training camp looks at their biggest question — the offensive line.

Our series previewing the Chicago Bears training camp concludes today. We take a look at the unit that is likely their biggest question — the offensive line.

Over the past decade or so, the offensive line just hasn’t performed up to standards. Poor play, injuries, and COVID played a part As a result, the offense has struggled to put up both yards and points.

Last season was especially rough. The line gave up the most sacks in the NFL and had the highest sack percentage in the league. Injuries forced a lot of different combinations of players, but none of the combinations seemed to work. The Bears had three players start at quarterback and all three had to run for their lives. Even Nick Foles, who just started one game, was sacked four times in that game.

Since new general manager Ryan Poles was an offensive lineman during his playing days many people thought he would completely overhaul the unit and add at least one big-time player. He didn’t do that, however. He let James Daniels, one of the most popular players on the line, walk via free agency. That left a giant hole at the right guard spot. There are also questions at both tackle spots so there is a lot of work to do for fix things.

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Players on the unit

Poles had a plan on not spending too much on players this offseason. He inherited a team in salary cap hell. He decided to tackle that problem first. He cut or traded a bunch of players and signed low-cost replacements.

His moves helped to drastically improve the team’s cap situation. Now the Bears have the second-most cap space in 2022 and the most in 2023.

In the meantime, Poles had to find some linemen to put on the field. He signed Lucas Patrick, Dakota Dozier, and Julie’n Davenport. Additionally, Sam Mustipher, Lachavious Simmons, Teven Jenkins, Larry Borom, and Cody Whitehair.

It appears that the only one who returns to his position is Whitehair. He is still the Bears’ left guard. All the other spots either have a new player or are still undecided.

Patrick will be the new center. He comes over from the Green Bay Packers. Mustipher was the starting center last season but he struggled mightily. He’ll now compete for the starting right guard spot.

As mentioned before, Poles has the future in mind when assembling the roster. He hasn’t signed big-value players. He’s preparing for 2023 and beyond. In that realm, he drafted four offensive linemen. Those players are Braxton Jones, Zachary Thomas, Doug Kramer, and Ja’Tyre Carter.

The draft picks will help the Bears in the future. In that group, there could be at least one starter and a few backups.

The starter in that group could be Jones. His future could be now. He impressed the coaching staff enough that he’s actually listed as a starter. He spent the time during OTAs practicing with the starters. Entering training camp he’ll get his shot to start.

Projections for the unit

In addition to the battles for a backup spot, there are three battles for starting jobs. One is at right guard. Dozier hurt his knee and is on injured reserve so he’s out. Mustipher and Davenport will battle for the spot. They’ll have some competition, however.

Jenkins and Borom were supposed to be the bookend tackles, Jenkins on the left and Borom on the right.

Head coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams shook things up, though. Borom took snaps on the left side and Jenkins on the right at the start. Then Borom went back to the right side, but Jenkins worked with the backups.

Jenkins apparently hasn’t made an impression on the coaching staff. When training camp begins he’ll have a lot of work to do. He is now Borom’s backup, despite being the Bears’ second-round pick and Borom the fifth-round pick in last year’s draft.

It will be an intriguing battle between Jenkins and Jones for the starting left tackle job. So far, Jones has been the rising star and Jenkins on his way down.

When Jenkins entered the draft there were a lot of analysts who projected him at guard. If his struggles at tackle continue the Bears could decide to move him over to guard. He’d be an instant upgrade over Mustipher and Davenport. He could use his big body and strength to open holes. Also, he won’t have to worry about his slow feet on the edge.

There might still be some struggles with this unit, but there will also be improvements. What we need to be looking for is how the rookies develop and help going forward. Throw in a high-profile lineman and things will start to turn around.