Windy City Gridiron
When it was announced that the Chicago Bears would be missing starting right tackle Darnell Wright for the Las Vegas Raiders game, I figured Maxx Crosby would go wild against whoever the Bears put out there. Chicago started 2024 UDFA Theo Benedet at right tackle, but eventually moved him to the left side and brought in 2025 second-rounder Ozzy Trapilo. It was bad, but it could have been worse.
Crosby nearly single-handedly blew up Chicago’s offense by filling the stat sheet (5 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 PD, INT, FF, QBH), but the one thing he didn’t do was pick up a sack. He came close, but Caleb Williams was too slippery on Sunday. Williams wasn’t able to make it consecutive sackless games, but the Raiders only got to him one time.
To give you an idea of how elusive Williams has been through four games, he leads all quarterbacks in missed tackles forced with 12. That’s also more missed tackles forced than any tight end or wide receiver so far this season, with only running backs having more.
Let’s get to the lone sack.
Sack 7 – 2nd Quarter 11:19 – Tyree Wilson
Chicago had offensive tackle issues on Sunday, but the sack they allowed came through the interior. And if I’m being honest, this is a tough one.
The Raiders looped linebacker Devin White (#45) from their right side, where he was lined up in a 4i technique on Braxton Jones’ inside shoulder, through the opposite B-Gap. Chicago right guard Jonah Jackson recognized the stunt and tried to pass his guy, defensive end Tyree Wilson (#9), off to center Drew Dalman. But Dalman wasn’t in a position to accept Wilson. This forced Jackson into staying with Wilson a tick too long.
Dalman was turned with his guy, Adam Butler (#69), who crossed his face from one A-Gap to the other.
Should this sack be on Jackson, who gave Wilson away to no one, or on Dalman, who stayed with Butler and didn’t get Wilson?
Considering right tackle Theo Benedet was on an island with Maxx Crosby, albeit with an initial chip from tight end Cole Kmet, I think Jackson knew he had to pick up the stunting White. Jackson couldn’t stick with Wilson because then White would have had the B-Gap. He had to pass Wilson off to Dalman.
If Dalman doesn’t turn, he’s probably able to get more of Wilson, and he probably would have passed Butler off to left guard Joe Thuney. I think that was the move we should have seen here, so I’ll give this one to Dalman.
The Raiders brought five, and had a well-designed stunt, and if Wilson didn’t get the sack, there were two other Raiders in the backfield.
Here’s the Sackwatch tally after 4 games.
Braxton Jones – 2
Caleb Williams – 2
Drew Dalman – 2
Darnell Wright – 1
*As I’ve often said, the breakdowns are based on my best guesses about each play. Only the Bears know the...
