A Scout’s Take: Chicago Bears offensive players I can’t wait to see in camp

A Scout’s Take: Chicago Bears offensive players I can’t wait to see in camp

Since the end of the 2023 season, the Chicago Bears roster has undergone several changes. Adding to the new players is the growth their returning players should have, which bodes well for an exciting 2024 NFL season for the Bears. On offense, these are some of the players I feel are well worth watching.

• Caleb Williams

Many have said that Williams is a generational player, and if that is the case, he should put up some exciting numbers regardless of his rookie status.

The last rookie quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards was Justin Herbert in 2020, when he threw for a total of 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns for the Los Angeles Chargers. Herbert did not have the supporting cast that Williams has in Chicago this year, so it’s not impossible that Caleb can put up similar numbers in Chicago.

As good as Herbert was, the Chargers only won seven games that year. The Bears fan base and ownership will not be happy with seven wins. At worst, they want a winning season and perhaps a playoff spot.

Willimas put in a lot of work during the off-season program, and both coaches and players say he has made great strides. The hope is that he will continue to improve once camp opens in about three weeks. If Willimas is the talent that many evaluators say he is, this should not be a problem, but still, we must remember that he is a rookie, and rookies make mistakes.

• Rome Odunze

No, I am not just writing about the new rookies in this article, but the addition of Odunze to the wide receiver room gives the Bears a receiver group that is extremely strong.

Last season, it was DJ Moore and a bunch of names. This year, it’s different, as the Bears traded for Keenan Allen and then added Odunze in the Draft.

I have read that many fans expect Odunze to get 1000 receiving yards this season. Yes, I know how talented Odunze is, but this Bears team also has D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. Both those payers are legitimate number one wide receivers. Add to that the presence of tight end Cole Kmet, and it may not be possible for Odunze to reach 1000 yards.

The fact is, Moore and Allen need to get their touches as well as Kmet, and knowing that Odunze's good rookie season would involve about 50 receptions.

Why do I say that? Yes, the Bears will use many 3-wide receiver formations, but they will also use 12-personnel, often meaning 2-wide receivers and 2-tight ends. I would think that with Odunze being a rookie, when the Bears go to 12-personnel, Odunze will be the odd man out, and only because he is the least experienced player.

I’m not taking anything away from Odunze’s talent, but with veterans like Moore and Allen, Rome is going to have to wait his turn.

• Braxton Jones

For some reason, Braxton Jones is looked at as the weak link on the Bears' offensive line by many fans. I am not in that group. In fact, I still believe that Braxton Jones has the natural talent to become one of the better tackles in the League.

Jones’ traits are excellent. He is tall, with very good overall athleticism and excellent length (35 3/8” arms). Few tackles in the League have the natural athleticism that Jones has. Yes, as a rookie, he had trouble blocking bull rushes as his anchor wasn't as good as he wanted. He worked hard in the 2023 off-season to correct that and showed drastic improvement. He should be even better this year, as he has had another year in the weight room.

What many don’t realize is Jones' background. When we factor in that background, his play is amazing.

Jones played his college football at Southern Utah, which is not exactly likely playing at a Power-5 program. When he entered the League in 2022, he was very raw, yet still played every offensive snap as a rookie. The Bears coaches and front office know how good Jones can be, the fan base needs to have s0me patience.

I looked at all the top tackles in this past April's Draft, and there wasn’t one tackle who had the natural traits (size, length, athleticism) that Jones possesses. Yes, there were guys who were stronger, but they didn’t have the speed, length, and overall athleticism Jones has. Add to that the fact that Jones now has two years of NFL experience, and we are just beginning to see how good he can become.

I expect Jones to have a big break-out year. Why? Not only is he blessed with excellent natural skills, but he has a very strong football character and wants to become a great player. He will!!!

• Teven Jenkins

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that when Jenkins is healthy, he may be one of the best run-blocking guards in football. Jenkins is a huge man with great strength and power, along with a nasty disposition when he is on the field. In his young career, Jenkins has flashed dominating characteristics, but the problem is that he hasn’t been consistent in pass pro and can’t stay healthy.

In his first three years in the NFL, he has yet to play a full season. As a rookie, he played in just six games. In 2022, he played 13 games with 11 starts. Last year, he played in 12 games with 11 starts. He has missed over 20 games in three years.

This year is a contract year for Jenkins, and he has already approached the Bears brass about doing an extension. There is no way that Ryan Poles and Company can even think about extending Jenkins until he can prove he can stay healthy.

Not only does Teven have to stay healthy but he has to pass block as well or close to as well as he run blocks. If that doesn’t happen, this could very well be the last year we see Jenkins as a member of the Chicago Bears.

I am not disputing Jenkins’ talent, but the Bears front office cannot extend a player who misses as much game time as Teven does. Even if he stays healthy this season, there is still a question whether Poles will want to extend him. When we look at the amount of money that some guards got in free agency this spring, the Bears may be better off going in another direction. We will know soon enough.