NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the Kansas City Chiefs plan to use the franchise tag on star guard Trey Smith, which is a huge blow for the Chicago Bears. Here’s the thing. The best teams don’t just find talent, they retain it. It was inevitable the Chiefs would find a way to keep one of their best players, and now it’s time for the Bears to go in a different direction. The interior of the offensive line needs replacements at each spot, and luckily for the Bears, they’ll have options.
Breaking Down the Bears’ Plan at Offensive Line Without Trey Smith
The Bears need a complete reset at guard, starting with moving on from Teven Jenkins. A fresh start benefits both sides, leaving both guard spots up for grabs. At center, Coleman Shelton was decent last season, but the Bears could use an upgrade. That said, the Bears have multiple directions they could go, but which one is the right direction? Time will tell, but with $79.46 million in cap space according to OvertheCap, the Bears have the resources to address these needs. The bigger issue is the amount of teams needing upgrades on the offensive line.
Upgrading at Center
The first course of action is addressing the center position. With limited options in both free agency and the NFL Draft, the Bears must act fast to sign one. Their top target? Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. Ranked as the 4th rated center by PFF, Dalman is among the league’s top run-blockers and would bring much-needed stability to Chicago’s interior. If the Bears fail to land him, they’ll be forced into yet another short-term fix at center.
Read More: Why the Bears Must Go All-In on Drew Dalman
Young vs. Old at Guard
The Bears have multiple paths to filling their guard vacancies. One option is drafting a guard early, ideally within the first two rounds—to secure a young, long-term starter. That would leave the other guard spot to be addressed in free agency.
For a veteran presence, players like Brandon Scherff or Kevin Zeitler could provide a short-term solution, especially given their ties to the Bears’ coaching staff. On the other hand, a long-term approach could involve younger options like James Daniels (if he wants to come back), Mekhi Becton, Will Fries, Aaron Banks, Patrick Mekari, Ben Bredeson, and many more. The Bears have no shortage of possibilities—it’s just a matter of choosing the right path.
Last Word on the Bears’ Offensive Line
No matter what, the Bears need to invest heavily in the offensive line. Go out and do whatever it takes to sign Drew Dalman, make sure to sign at least one starting guard, and use a top 41 pick on another guard. Not to mention getting quality depth players on the offensive line.
An ideal Bears starting lineup next season? Braxton Jones, a rookie at left guard, Drew Dalman, Mekhi Becton, and Darnell Wright. Wright thrives with a bigger body next to him, and the rookie guard will benefit from playing in between two experienced starters in Jones and Dalman. If Chicago can pull it off, they’ll be in great shape heading into next season.
If I had to give my personal #Bears offensive line going into next season, it’ll be the following:
LT: Braxton Jones
LG: Jonah Savaiinaea
C: Drew Dalman
RG: Mekhi Becton
RT: Darnell WrightThe average height and weight of the offensive line would be 6’5 and 330 pounds😳 pic.twitter.com/DmoQ5XklQn
— IZ🏈 (@Isaac__Zuniga) February 26, 2025
Main Image: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports
