INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 05: Darnell Wright of Tennessee participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
There’s a lot of work ahead for a team that finished with the worst record in the NFL in 2022. What have been the Chicago Bears’ top moves this offseason?
The Chicago Bears were NFC North champions in 2018. The past four seasons have been quite different, despite the fact that the club reached the playoffs in 2020 albeit with an 8-8 record.
A year ago, former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was named the team’s newest head coach. The club got off to a mediocre 3-4 start, but things would get much worse. The Bears closed out 2022 with 10 consecutive losses and would allow the most points in the league.
It’s the second year for Eberflus, as well as general manager Ryan Poles. What three decisions have been the club’s best to date this offseason?
Bears best offseason moves: 3. Providing the offensive line with more youth
In recent years, the organization has certainly addressed the offensive line via the draft. Guard Tevin Jenkins was a second-round pick in 2021. A year ago, general manager Ryan Poles selected tackle Braxton Jones in the fifth round.
That youth movement continued this offseason and included a free-agent addition. The Bears scooped up guard Nate Davis, a 26-year-old pro who was a starter in all four seasons with the Titans. Poles also used the 10th overall pick in April on University of Tennessee tackle Darnell Wright.
Thanks mainly to quarterback Justin Fields, the Bears led the NFL in rushing in 2022. Of course, he also absorbed 55 of the 58 sacks allowed this past season. It will be interesting to see how long this new-look offensive front takes to gel.
