Sportsnaut
Ben Johnson worked wonders in his first season as the Chicago Bears‘ head coach, likely effectively saving general manager Ryan Poles from hearing any discussion about being on the hot seat after his teams went 15-36 in the years prior. Together, they’ve formed what looks like could emerge as a powerhouse, even in the crowded NFC North.
Yet, some still think the Bears have at least one area that could develop into a sore spot throughout the season, and now they’re being urged to do something about it, before it becomes a problem later on.
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One area that’s become a popular topic in Chicago is the team’s offensive line, yet this is a group that made major strides last season with All-Pro Joe Thuney arriving via trade. Yet, after center Drew Dalman’s retirement and Ozzy Trapilo’s injury, there are once again concerns up front.
While the Bears replaced Dalman by trading for former first-round pick Garrett Bradbury and later used a second-round pick on Logan Jones, the tackle situation is more concerning.
However, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently outlined the NFL’s best free agents available. In doing so, he listed one-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Decker and suggested the Bears (and Los Angeles Rams) could be good fits.
The Lions asked Decker, their starting left tackle, to take a pay cut this offseason. He refused, so they released him. Surprisingly still unsigned, he could bring more stability to the left side of Chicago’s offensive line, and there’s already familiarity here with Decker playing six seasons under coach Johnson in Detroit. Not to mention, he’d get to enact vengeance against his former team at least twice in 2026.
The Bears do seem like a great landing spot for Decker later this fall. Yet, they may want to give their younger players a chance to establish themselves first, too.
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