Bears offensive line rated just outside NFL’s top-10

Chicago Bears’ rookie Caleb Williams has one of the best supporting casts any first-year quarterback will ever get, but the offensive line will be a key to his success.

Monday, Pro Football Focus rated the Bears’ O-line as the 11th-best in the league, the second-highest rating in the NFC North.

PFF noted the unit turned into one of the best in the league late last season. This offseason, the team gave up a fifth-round pick to add Ryan Bates from the Bills and also signed Coleman Shelton.

Both have experience at center and guard, and they’re expected to be part of the competition for the interior O-line spots along with Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis. However, Shelton may have a leg up on the center job thanks to his familiarity with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and his system.

“In Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, Chicago has a promising young offensive tackle duo. And Teven Jenkins has performed extremely well since moving to guard, earning 70.0-plus PFF overall grades in 2022 and 2023,” PFF said in its rankings.

If Jones and Wright can each take a step forward and Jenkins — who graded out as PFF’s 14th-best guard last season — can stay healthy, the unit should be good. If Shelton and whoever wins the final guard spot can be average or better, Chicago could definitely finish the season as one of the best offensive lines in the league.

Of Chicago’s top six offensive lineman, all but Jones graded out better as a run blocker last season than in pass protection, but even Jones was a good run blocker.

Last year, the Bears averaged over 141 rushing yards per game, the second-most in the NFL. Another strong running game would help Williams, but the bigger question will be how the line holds up in pass protection.

If they can avoid penalties and give Williams enough time, the rookie and the Bears’ upgraded receiver corps give the team a strong chance to significantly improve upon last year’s 20th-ranked offense.

© Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports