Windy City Gridiron
The makeover that the Chicago Bears gave to the interior of their offensive line may be one of the biggest position group upgrades the franchise has ever done in one offseason. They’ll need to perform when the whistle blows, but on paper, this group has the potential to be one of the best in the league.
Pro Football Focus has been sharing their top 32 players ranking at each position, and they have the Bears with the second-best guard tandem in the NFL.
Their number two guard in the league is Joe Thuney, and here’s what they had to say about the fourth-time All-Pro.
Although Thuney’s move to tackle late in the 2024 season hampered his production and grading, when lined up at guard, he is the most polished pass protector in the NFL. His 90.4 PFF pass-blocking grade at guard last season led the NFL — his fourth straight season atop the charts — and he allowed no sacks and just a 1.9% pressure rate.
I still find myself smiling at the thought of Thuney in Chicago, because he’s one of the best players (regardless of position) in the game today. His skills and leadership are exactly what this young offense needs.
Chicago’s other new guard, Jonah Jackson, also made the list at number 31.
After signing a lucrative deal with the Rams last offseason, Jackson was restricted by injury for almost all of 2024, eventually resulting in the Rams benching and trading him to the Bears. Now, Jackson reunites with his former offensive coordinator in Detroit, Ben Johnson. During his two seasons under Johnson, Jackson ranked in the 93rd percentile in positively graded run-blocking rate (16.2%).
Jackson was one of the most sought-after free agent guards following his run in Detroit, and he inked a three-year, $51 million deal in Los Angeles. However, his 2024 is one he’d love to forget with two injuries and a position change. The Bears hope that reuniting him with Johnson will get him back to a Pro Bowl level of play.
In case you missed it, PFF also had both Chicago offensive tackles in their top 32, and new center Drew Dalmen checked in as their fifth at that position.
Here’s Pro Football Focus’ write-up on Dalman.
After his final season in Atlanta was cut short due to injury, Dalman heads to a perfect situation with Ben Johnson in Chicago. His reputation as one of the best run-blocking centers in the game will be a huge asset in Johnson’s zone-heavy scheme, where the veteran has produced a career 93.8 PFF run-blocking grade.
That means every “projected” 2025 starter on Chicago’s o-line made their top 32 position lists.
Also, considering none of the centers ranked above Dalman play for a team on PFF’s top guard duo lists, does that mean they have Chicago with the best interior in the league?
