In 2025, a big reason for the Bears’ improvement on offense came from a better offensive line. Heading into the new year, it seems as though their unit comes in high regard.
ESPN’s Mike Clay put together a rating for every starting offensive lineman in the NFL, as well as an overall ranking of each team’s offensive line as a unit. The Bears had the third-best offensive line in the league, trailing only the Broncos and the Eagles.
With the 5.0 mark being used to indicate an average starting offensive lineman, Clay gave every one of Chicago’s starters an above-average grade.
When breaking down each of the Bears’ starters, here’s where Clay had all of them ranking at their respective positions among the 32 starters at each spot:
- LT Braxton Jones: 18th
- LG Joe Thuney: 1st
- C Garrett Bradbury: T-19th
- RG Jonah Jackson: 8th
- RT Darnell Wright: 10th
According to Clay, the Bears are just one of four teams above-average starting offensive lineman at every position. Though Jones and Bradbury are both in the bottom half at their respective positions, their grade measures how effective they are compared to all offensive linemen, not just those at their own positions. Therefore, their coming in above a 5.0 grade indicates they’re both slightly above average.
The most notable ranking is that of Thuney, who rightfully leads all left guards after winning the inaugural Protector of the Year award. Upon first glance, his ranking, Bradbury’s ranking, and Jackson’s ranking all seem fair with the film they put together in 2025. Coming off a season-ending injury and a benching last year, one could argue Jones is a little too high, while Wright seems pretty low after earning second-team All-Pro recognition last season.
Among the 220 qualified offensive linemen at all positions in 2025, the Bears were one of just six teams who had three linemen ranked in the top 35 in PFSN OL Impact Scoring. Granted, one of those players was the recently retired Drew Dalman, who finished No. 13 in the NFL among centers with an 83.8 score, but Bradbury wasn’t too far behind with an 80.4 score with the Patriots last season.
The Bears drafted Iowa center Logan Jones in Round 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, so it’s entirely possible he finds his way into the starting lineup sooner rather than later. Whether it’s Bradbury or Jones snapping the ball on offense, however, Chicago’s offensive line figures to be one of the stronger units in the league this season.
