Following the Chicago Bears offensive line over the years has been a bumpy ride. But perhaps we are starting to see some smooth sailing now that the current administration has made efforts to build out that part of the team.
Over at Pro Football Focus, Zoltán Buday ranks the top 32 offensive tackles in the league. The list includes two members of the unit responsible for protecting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams — left tackle Braxton Jones and right tackle Darnell Wright. That tandem is in rare air, checking in as one of the best offensive tackle duos in football. It’s a sight for sore eyes to see a pair of Bears make the cut here:
The Bears are one of only a handful of teams with both of their starting offensive tackles ranking among the top-32 in the league. That is a fun fact worth boasting and re-sharing!
(Ed. Note: One point of clarity: There are 64 starting offensive tackles in the NFL. That the Bears have two of them means that both of their bookend tackles are above average in the eyes of PFF’s evaluators. I think that’s something worth underlining here, if only because having a pair of above average offensive tackles isn’t something we should take for granted. Anyway, on with the post…)
In his first draft running the Bears, General Manager Ryan Poles chose four offensive linemen on Day 3 of the draft. As a result of the volume shooting effort that might make the late Kobe Bryant blush, Chicago’s football team was able to land a starting left tackle — Braxton Jones.
This is what PFF had to say about Jones, who ranks 31st among tackles:
A fifth-round pick out of Southern Utah in 2022, Jones proved in 2023 that his impressive rookie season was not a fluke. Although he was slowed down by an injury and had a bit of a decline from his 2022 season, he is still one of 24 offensive tackles to have earned pass-blocking grades over 70.0 in each of the last two seasons.
Jones had a fine rookie season in 2022, earning All-Rookie Team honors from the PFWA and entrenching himself as a quality starter in the process. This isn’t to say Jones is perfect. Penalties have been a problem in his first two years with the Bears, but he has put out more good tape than bad when in the lineup. And with two more years left on his rookie deal, Jones is a tremendous bargain and value.
Starting-caliber left tackles don’t grow on trees. And they certainly don’t fall into your lap as Day 3 selections. A little bit of luck and a whole lot of work got us here. Even still … that is just the beginning of the story. The Bears rolled the dice betting on Jones’ athleticism, length, and measurables — and they hit a jackpot. So while there might be a tough decision down the line when it comes to extending Braxton Jones, we don’t have to cross that bridge until we get to it at a later date.
Darnell Wright slides into the top-32 as the final member of the list. Here’s PFF’s blurb on the other Bears offensive tackle to make the cut:
The only second-year player on this list, Wright’s 66.0 run-blocking grade ranked first among his rookie class. In addition, he was also promising in pass protection toward the second half of the season after going through some growing pains in the first month. After giving up one sack in each of his first five games in the NFL, the former Tennessee Volunteer allowed just three sacks in his final 12 games.
Let that marinate for a moment. Darnell Wright is the only second-year offensive tackle to make the list. Credit to Wright, his coaches, and everyone involved in the process that led the Bears to take Wright with the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. I realize that selecting a right tackle with a top-10 choice isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But the early returns have been good. Plus, Wright still has room to grow. If Darnell Wright can build on his rookie season, he’ll climb the ranks on next year’s list.
The thing that sticks with me while analyzing the top-32 is that Darnell Wright, like Braxton Jones, was a Ryan Poles draft pick. But unlike Jones, Wright arrived at Halas Hall with a bigger profile and a unique prospect pedigree. I love the idea that Chicago Bears scouts can identify offensive line talent in multiple places in the draft. And I’m totally digging the idea that the team’s offensive line coaches can build up high-profile prospects and diamonds in the rough. This seems to bode well for the offense as a whole. Because having awesome skill position players is fun. But they’re almost worthless if the quarterback can’t get them the ball.
I’m looking forward to seeing what other Bears players make PFF’s lists as we turn our attention to the start of the regular season. Just 99 days until NFL Week 1 kicks off. Are you ready for it?
