The Chicago Bears’ offensive line has become a major issue following their disappointing Week 2 performance against the Houston Texans. The Bears allowed seven sacks, committed nine penalties, and failed to protect quarterback Caleb Williams on more than 80% of his dropbacks. To make matters worse, troubling news has surfaced regarding offensive lineman Ryan Bates. Chicago Tribune writer Brad Biggs reported that Bates is dealing with an arthritic condition in his elbow/shoulder, further complicating the Bears’ offensive line struggles.
While Bates’ condition isn’t career-threatening, it adds to the ongoing concerns surrounding the Bears’ offensive front. Bates, who was traded to Chicago this offseason after General Manager Ryan Poles had long been interested in him, is currently on injured reserve and is expected to return after Week 6. However, it remains unclear if the Bears were aware of his condition before the trade. Poles has faced criticism for his inability to solidify the offensive line despite being a former lineman himself.
In addition to Bates’ situation, other offensive line players have underperformed. Teven Jenkins considered one of the Bears’ best linemen, hasn’t been at his best, and first-round pick Darnell Wright has struggled with cadence and blocking schemes. Veteran lineman Nate Davis, expected to be a key piece, has regressed, while Coleman Shelton continues to underdeliver.
Poles’ free-agent signings and trades have also fallen short of expectations. Trading a sixth-round pick for Dan Feeney and a fifth-round pick for Bates have yet to yield positive results. Additionally, offensive line coach Chris Morgan is also under scrutiny, with the Bears’ line ranking poorly in pass-blocking efficiency over the past two seasons. Former Bears lineman Lucas Patrick recently posted an impressive performance with the New Orleans Saints, highlighting Morgan’s inability to bring out the best in his players.
While there’s still hope for improvement, the Bears must address these issues quickly, either by improving the personnel or making changes to the coaching staff.
