The Chicago Bears offensive line is no different than any team in the league. No individual performance stands above the cohesion of the group, because the offensive line is not about individuals. Rather, it is about working as one. However, we need to be able to assess players on a stand-alone basis to determine where the Bears need to improve going forward.
In this article, we rank the Chicago Bears offensive linemen based on their performances through their week 17 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks. To build out my grading system, I watched each game five times. Once for each position on the offensive line. I use a 5-tier grading system, ranking each rep as Great, Good, Fine, Poor, or Bad. Then, I used these tiers to generate the final grades and block success rates. For grading purposes, 60 is considered average. I should note that my grades have been materially different than PFF this season.
Due to a squeezed schedule from the holidays, no videos are included this week. But check back in January for the full season review with video breakdowns and a list of potential free-agent targets!
Bears Pass Block Rankings
Through 16 games, the Bears pass-blocking grades have been relatively average. The unit has bottomed out over the last three games, but they posted average or better pass-blocking grades in 9 of 11 games before that. On the season, Darnell Wright has been the best pass blocker on the team, grading at an above-average score of 72.7.
As a unit, the Bears offensive line posted a season-worst pass-blocking grade of 50.9 against the Seahawks. The pass protection was a total mess. Darnell Wright was the Bears highest-graded pass blocker with a pass-blocking grade of 69.6.
Behind him was Matt Pryor, who posted a below-average grade of 51.9. The rest of the Bears offensive line posted grades below 50. The absence of Braxton Jones and Teven Jenkins significantly impacted the group's ability to communicate blitz pickups and stunts. An aggressive Seattle front capitalized on poor communication with creative stunts, blitzes, and fronts.
I believe that the Bears' season-long inability to run-block has impacted the perception of their pass-blocking. While they are a very average pass-blocking group, average is okay in my book. The issue is that if a team cannot run the football, passing becomes more predictable and defenses can scheme up pass rush more easily. If a team is facing clear passing downs more often, they can have more opportunities to get creative with their attack and break pass protection rules.
Bears Run Block Rankings
Through 16 games, the Bears run-blocking grades have been mediocre at best. The group has posted an average or better grade only 7 times. On the season, Teven Jenkins has been the best run blocker on the team with a slightly above-average grade of 65.9.
Against the Seahawks, the Bears run-blocking unit posted their third straight below-average grade. Darnell Wright posted the best grade in the group with a pedestrian 60. Matt Pryor was slightly below average with a grade of 56.9. The rest of the unit posted sub-50 grades.
Jake Curhan and Larry Borom being forced to start in place of Jones and Jenkins significantly impacted the Bears' ability to move the football on the ground. While Curhan shows good urgency and willingness, he is lost too often and tends to play out of control. Meanwhile, Borom does not play with the force or decisiveness to be an effective run blocker.
Bears Offensive Line Rankings
- Darnell Wright (RT / no change)
- Teven Jenkins (LG / no change)
- Braxton Jones (LT / no change)
- Matt Pryor (RG / +1)
- Coleman Shelton (C / -1)
- Bill Murray (OG / no change)*
- Ryan Bates (OG / +1)
- Jake Curhan (OL / -1)
- Larry Borom (OT / no change)
- Kiran Amegadjie (LT / no change)
- Doug Kramer (iOL / no change)
Final Thoughts
Through week 17, the Bears best five offensive linemen are Darnell Wright, Teven Jenkins, Braxton Jones, Matt Pryor, and Coleman Shelton.
The Bears offensive line was a painfully average group before the injuries to Braxton Jones and Teven Jenkins. Without those two players, the group is outright bad. If reserve players like Bill Murray and Ryan Bates were healthy, maybe the group would be more serviceable. At this point, I am not convinced that Larry Borom or Jake Curhan are playable. But both players are likely to start week 18 against Green Bay.
The only player on this offensive line who can elevate is Darnell Wright. Unless you have a true blue-chip tackle like Penei Sewell, Tristan Wirfs, Lane Johnson, or Trent Williams, I believe you need two players who can elevate the play of the group. Last year, Teven Jenkins looked like a player who could do just that, but he has not been the same in 2024.
I expect the Bears to be aggressive in free agency and the draft to fill holes in the trenches, but players who elevate don't hit the open market often. Maybe the Chiefs Trey Smith or the Colts Will Fries fit the bill, but there is no guarantee that either will elevate others' play. The best place to find those players is typically through the NFL Draft.
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