Chicago faces concerns that a newcomer’s pass-protection struggles could lead to a mid-season benching.
The Chicago Bears had the luxury of consistent offensive line play last season.
The only real issue the Bears had was figuring out who to start at left tackle. Darnell Wright and Jonah Jackson anchored the right side of the line. The Bears had a Pro Bowl-level season from center Drew Dalman.
Joe Thuney was the veteran leader of the offensive line and made his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl.
The Bears had three different players start at left tackle throughout the year. At first, it was Braxton Jones. He suffered a knee injury and was placed on the injured reserve.
Theo Benedet started a few games before sustaining an injury, creating the opportunity for rookie Ozzy Trapilo to come in and win the job. He made his debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers and impressed the staff.
Trapilo would start the remainder of the season before suffering a patellar injury in the playoffs. He is now expected to miss most of the 2026 season.
One position Bears fans didn't think they would have to worry about was center. That changed after Dalman announced his retirement.
It wasn't long before the Bears found their replacement. The Bears targeted New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury.
It'll be hard for Bradbury to live up to Dalman, but he has a solid resume. He allowed no sacks in the playoffs and was on the field for 100% of the Patriots' offensive snaps.
In the regular season, he was on the field for 98% of the offense's snaps.
Bradbury seems like a good fit on paper, but not everyone is sold on him. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton named a bust candidate for every NFL team, and the Bears' was Bradbury.
"A week after center Drew Dalman retired, the Chicago Bears traded a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for Garrett Bradbury," Moton said. "Then, Chicago selected center Logan Jones in the second round of the draft. Don't be surprised if the Bears bench Bradbury for Jones at some point in the upcoming campaign because of the veteran's pass-protection issues. According to Pro Football Focus, Bradbury didn't surrender a sack but allowed 20 pressures over 642 pass-blocking snaps last season."
It would be surprising if Bradbury doesn't work out with the Bears. He's coming off a solid season in which he protected quarterback Drake Maye well.
The Bears do have rookie Logan Jones in place if Bradbury does struggle, at least.
The good thing about Bradbury is that he's on a one-year deal with Chicago. So, if he doesn't work out, then the Bears don't have to make a long-term commitment to him and can release him next year when his contract runs out.
Jones will be waiting in the wings if needed, but hopefully Bradbury will work out, because Bears fans have been through enough with the left tackle drama.
