Going into the draft and even afterwards, we knew that we hadn’t finished the oline yet. A couple free agent acquisitions and a late draft choice is all we did. Theoretically, we should be set at tackle with what we have. I look at our free agents as a starting center and a backup. The challenge, imo, is at guard where Nate Davis crapped the bed and Poles failed to have a plan in place to take his slot. Jenkins getting hurt is going to happen (it always does with him) and if we didn’t have the Nate Davis issue, Jenkins being out becomes somewhat manageable.
I often wonder why it seems that our oline is constantly fighting injuries year in and year out. Something isn’t right with this.
Going into the draft and even afterwards, we knew that we hadn’t finished the oline yet. A couple free agent acquisitions and a late draft choice is all we did. Theoretically, we should be set at tackle with what we have. I look at our free agents as a starting center and a backup. The challenge, imo, is at guard where Nate Davis crapped the bed and Poles failed to have a plan in place to take his slot. Jenkins getting hurt is going to happen (it always does with him) and if we didn’t have the Nate Davis issue, Jenkins being out becomes somewhat manageable.
I often wonder why it seems that our oline is constantly fighting injuries year in and year out. Something isn’t right with this.
The Bears have been offensively inept for decades. This is nothing new.
Never have had a QB -- hopefully that one is is finally fixed
Never have had a good WR corps -- hopefully that one is finally fixed too.
The Bears have been offensively inept for decades. This is nothing new.
Never have had a QB -- hopefully that one is is finally fixed
Never have had a good WR corps -- hopefully that one is finally fixed too.
OL....still a problem
And to be honest here, the DL is still a problem too. It's the OL and DL both that need upgrades - significant upgrades in 2025. The center play has been pretty bad in camp so far according to a number of credible sources who have watched the play at C so far of both players. Bates and Shelton have (at best) a ceiling of near-average. Those guys, neither one, is the answer at anything long-term. Jenkins is just about as fragile a player as we've had over the years. Dude gets injured doing stretching exercises. Back surgery, neck/spine injury, soft tissue injuries, concussions... dude is a basket case. Nate Davis (even when healthy) has not played well for us. He is a liability even when healthy - and he's often not healthy. The DL obviously still needs a serious upgrade too. Other than (possibly) Dexter (remains to be proven in the regular season) - and Sweat - we really don't have much there. We have guys we "hope" will be pleasant surprises in the regular season. The usual Bears "hope & prayer" guys. I think reality is that they are "okay" players along with some JAGS.
2025 needs to be "The Year of the Lineman" for the Bears and they use the draft - and also - FA to do a serious upgrade of both lines. Between the DL and OL needs next season we really need 4 or 5 guys who are legit decent players... and a couple of those should be "difference maker" players... guys who are really really good.
The Bears have been offensively inept for decades. This is nothing new.
Never have had a QB -- hopefully that one is is finally fixed
Never have had a good WR corps -- hopefully that one is finally fixed too.
OL....still a problem
And to be honest here, the DL is still a problem too. It's the OL and DL both that need upgrades - significant upgrades in 2025. The center play has been pretty bad in camp so far according to a number of credible sources who have watched the play at C so far of both players. Bates and Shelton have (at best) a ceiling of near-average. Those guys, neither one, is the answer at anything long-term. Jenkins is just about as fragile a player as we've had over the years. Dude gets injured doing stretching exercises. Back surgery, neck/spine injury, soft tissue injuries, concussions... dude is a basket case. Nate Davis (even when healthy) has not played well for us. He is a liability even when healthy - and he's often not healthy. The DL obviously still needs a serious upgrade too. Other than (possibly) Dexter (remains to be proven in the regular season) - and Sweat - we really don't have much there. We have guys we "hope" will be pleasant surprises in the regular season. The usual Bears "hope & prayer" guys. I think reality is that they are "okay" players along with some JAGS.
2025 needs to be "The Year of the Lineman" for the Bears and they use the draft - and also - FA to do a serious upgrade of both lines. Between the DL and OL needs next season we really need 4 or 5 guys who are legit decent players... and a couple of those should be "difference maker" players... guys who are really really good.
Right now, I trust the DL more than I do the OL
Billings is a solid 2-down player, Sweat is a stud, and Dexter seems to having a good camp. Not an elite unit but hopefully solid.
The Bears have been offensively inept for decades. This is nothing new.
Never have had a QB -- hopefully that one is is finally fixed
Never have had a good WR corps -- hopefully that one is finally fixed too.
OL....still a problem
And to be honest here, the DL is still a problem too. It's the OL and DL both that need upgrades - significant upgrades in 2025. The center play has been pretty bad in camp so far according to a number of credible sources who have watched the play at C so far of both players. Bates and Shelton have (at best) a ceiling of near-average. Those guys, neither one, is the answer at anything long-term. Jenkins is just about as fragile a player as we've had over the years. Dude gets injured doing stretching exercises. Back surgery, neck/spine injury, soft tissue injuries, concussions... dude is a basket case. Nate Davis (even when healthy) has not played well for us. He is a liability even when healthy - and he's often not healthy. The DL obviously still needs a serious upgrade too. Other than (possibly) Dexter (remains to be proven in the regular season) - and Sweat - we really don't have much there. We have guys we "hope" will be pleasant surprises in the regular season. The usual Bears "hope & prayer" guys. I think reality is that they are "okay" players along with some JAGS.
2025 needs to be "The Year of the Lineman" for the Bears and they use the draft - and also - FA to do a serious upgrade of both lines. Between the DL and OL needs next season we really need 4 or 5 guys who are legit decent players... and a couple of those should be "difference maker" players... guys who are really really good.
Yea. It’s like we build the team from the outside in rather than the inside out (inside being the two lines). Can’t do it all at once, and the skills at the positions that have been addressed are definitely an improvement over the past. Patience I think is needed.
And to be honest here, the DL is still a problem too. It's the OL and DL both that need upgrades - significant upgrades in 2025. The center play has been pretty bad in camp so far according to a number of credible sources who have watched the play at C so far of both players. Bates and Shelton have (at best) a ceiling of near-average. Those guys, neither one, is the answer at anything long-term. Jenkins is just about as fragile a player as we've had over the years. Dude gets injured doing stretching exercises. Back surgery, neck/spine injury, soft tissue injuries, concussions... dude is a basket case. Nate Davis (even when healthy) has not played well for us. He is a liability even when healthy - and he's often not healthy. The DL obviously still needs a serious upgrade too. Other than (possibly) Dexter (remains to be proven in the regular season) - and Sweat - we really don't have much there. We have guys we "hope" will be pleasant surprises in the regular season. The usual Bears "hope & prayer" guys. I think reality is that they are "okay" players along with some JAGS.
2025 needs to be "The Year of the Lineman" for the Bears and they use the draft - and also - FA to do a serious upgrade of both lines. Between the DL and OL needs next season we really need 4 or 5 guys who are legit decent players... and a couple of those should be "difference maker" players... guys who are really really good.
Yea. It’s like we build the team from the outside in rather than the inside out (inside being the two lines). Can’t do it all at once, and the skills at the positions that have been addressed are definitely an improvement over the past. Patience I think is needed.
I agree patience is needed. But I am going to be pretty sad if the season fails due to the OL woes. It does get old.