Windy City Gridiron
With camp opening this week, we’re breaking down every position group on the Chicago Bears.
Here’s how the Chicago Bears' starting offensive line looked in their final game last season: Darnell Wright at right tackle, Matt Pryor at right guard, Coleman Shelton at center, Jake Curhan at left guard, and Larry Borom at left tackle.
Wright is the only one still in Chicago, Shelton signed back with the Rams, Pryor is a reserve with the Eagles, Borom is a backup in Miami, and Curhan signed a league minimum deal with the Cardinals.
The Bears worked quickly to bolster the starting offensive line this offseason. First, trade for an All-Pro at left guard, then trade for a former Pro Bowler at right guard, and then sign the best center on the market. Sure, the right guard has something to prove, but he also has familiarity with head coach Ben Johnson. They also spent a second-round pick to get some competition at left tackle while the incumbent was rehabbing.
While Chicago’s starters are the most improved unit on the team, the reserves have me concerned.
Veteran newcomers Joe Thuney (LG), Drew Dalman (C), and Jonah Jackson (RG) join Wright up front. Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie are in the mix at left tackle while Braxton Jones rehabs.
If the Bears open up with nine offensive linemen, that only leaves two more spots, so who will back up on the interior?
I was hoping the Bears would have added a veteran reserve or re-signed Matt Pryor, because I don’t trust their backups inside. As far as I’m concerned, the remaining guys all need to show out this next month to earn a spot.
Is Bill Murray really the top reserve guard on the roster? As it stands now, he may be. He’s never started a game in his career and has played a grand total of 42 offensive snaps. I think it would be a great story considering his path, but I need to see more than 42 snaps to feel good about him in 2025.
I liked the Ryan Bates trade last year because when he’s healthy, he brings versatility to the room. But he was held to just three games last year with shoulder, elbow, and concussion issues, and reports had him still sidelined this offseason. If he were healthy, he’d probably be a lock, but if this injury lingers, he could be released.
Ricky Stromberg and Doug Kramer Jr. will try to prove they’re a viable backup center option who can also fill in at guard.
If rookie guard Luke Newman can convert to center, he may have the edge over the previous two.
Veterans Joshua Miles (18 career games) and Jordan McFadden (13 games) will need to show versatility. McFadden is a decent athlete whom the Chargers considered making a fullback a year ago.
Chris Glaser was a practice squadder last year who received a...
