​The Chicago Bears will head into the 2026 season with a bit more uncertainty along the offensive line than they may have anticipated. After the surprising retirement of Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman in March, the Bears set out to retool up front by selecting Iowa center Logan Jones in the draft and by trading for New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury. Bradbury is shaping up as a potential short-term solution, while Jones projects as the long-term centerpiece at center if everything goes according to plan. The team also added undrafted free agent center Jaren Kump from Utah to the depth chart.
The left tackle spot remains a question mark, too, following Ozzy Trapilo’s ruptured patellar tendon suffered during Chicago’s Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers. Trapilo had emerged late in 2025 as a possible long-term answer at left tackle. His return is uncertain, with expectations suggesting he may not be available until late in the 2026 season, if at all. For the time being, veteran Braxton Jones is on hand to step in at left tackle as needed.
Beyond the tackle position, the Bears boast two standout linemen on the left guard and right tackle spots. Joe Thuney at left guard and Darnell Wright at right tackle are among the best players at their respective positions in the league. Meanwhile, RG Jonah Jackson rebounded in 2025 after a disappointing 2024 season with injuries while in Los Angeles with the Rams, delivering a solid year on the interior line.
Despite some level of uncertainty at two positions (left tackle and center) after a standout 2025 performance from the unit, at least one NFL scout remains bullish on the Bears’ front. Former Cleveland Browns scout Scott DiBenedetto, collaborating with Fantasy Points, has the Bears’ offensive line ranked as the third-best unit in the league. DiBenedetto envisions Jones stepping in as the starting left tackle, with Bradbury at center. He commented on the Bears’ outlook, noting that:
Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson’s investment in the offensive line paid dividends in 2025, elevating the unit into the “Elite” tier by season’s end, despite the revolving door at left tackle. With nearly the entire starting five returning for 2026, Chicago is positioned to make another strong run. Darnell Wright anchored the right side as one of the league’s premier run blockers, and RG Jonah Jackson followed with another productive run-blocking season. Joe Thuney’s protection was consistently excellent, and he contributed to a stout overall run game as well. The key takeaway is that Braxton Jones’ temporary absence did not derail the group.
Jones started the season, played through Week 4, then missed two weeks and ultimately landed on injured reserve. Theo Benedet and Ozzy Trapilo held the line in his absence, with Trapilo suffering a late-season injury that constrained his availability. Jones will need to rebound in 2026, but the Bears have reliable depth to lean on behind him.
The biggest shift comes at center, where Garrett Bradbury joined the lineup via trade after Dalman’s retirement. While Bradbury posted below-average numbers in New England last year, the expectation is that he will fit Chicago’s well-established line culture and contribute to a cohesive unit. If he adapts well, this group could remain among the top 10 in the league throughout the season, continuing a strong trend from 2025.
In summary, the Bears head into 2026 with a mix of reliable veterans and promising young talent along the offensive line. The combination of Bradbury’s veteran presence, Jones’s potential as a future anchor, and the continued excellence from Thuney, Wright, and Jackson gives Chicago a credible path toward maintaining a high level of play up front. With the right health and continued development from Jones and the depth players behind them, the Bears could sustain an elite-grade offensive line again in 2026.