The Chicago Bears run game success in 2025 will solely rely on the moves made to upgrade the interior offensive line in the coming months. The guards were never set in stone for the team a year ago and it showed through the lack of execution with Caleb Williams running for his life and the ground game being nonexistent at times.
Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright are the only two lineman from the 2024 squad that are set to return to the organization this year. Wright will stay put at right tackle after being a first round draft choice out of Tennessee in 2023. Jones is a different story in terms of where he will play in 2025. He has been the Bears starting left tackle since being draft out of Southern Utah in 2022, but things could change for him this offseason.
Chicago could be looking for a more stable and consistent option at left tackle long-term and Jones might not be their answer right now. If they choose to draft or sign a tackle, Jones can be easily moved to left guard for the upcoming season. No matter what, the Bears front office needs to bring in three offensive lineman over the course of the next two months. They could start their search by taking a look at a guard from the Super Bowl champions.
Why the Chicago Bears should pursue Mekhi Becton
Mekhi Becton had has career revived in 2024 after signing a one-year deal with the Eagles. He was drafted 11th overall in the first round of the 2020 draft out Louisville by the New York Jets, where he was expected to be their anchor at left tackle. Unfortunately for both parties, things did not work out according to plan and the Jets chose to decline Becton’s fifth year option in 2023.
Upon joining the Eagles, Becton was kicked inside to play guard. His frame certainly plays well on the inside, as he measures in at six-foot-seven and weighs 363 pounds. Becton was a force in the Eagles run game which resulted in a record-breaking season from Saquon Barkley.
Becton overall PFF grade from this past season ranked him 21st among all guards in the league at 75.2. He was 19th in the run blocking game with a 74.7 mark and 60th in pass protection at 63.6. The run blocking metric is all the Bears should care about on the inside when it comes to Becton. He is built like a tank and success will follow him wherever he goes in free agency this offseason.
Why Mekhi Becton might not sign with the Chicago Bears
Sportrac currently projects that Becton will receive a four-year deal in free agency worth just overall $40 million in total with an average annual value of $10.2 million per season. This price range is easily in the Bears wheelhouse, as they have nearly $70 million in open cap space prior to making any roster cuts entering free agency.
The primary issue with bringing aboard Becton is that it will be hard to pry him away from Philadelphia. The Eagles run success was largely due to what he provided en route to a title and he clearly enjoys being with a winning organization. If the Eagles can offer him market value, if not more for his services over the next handful of seasons, it would be hard to envision him packing his bags next month.
Chicago Bears 2025 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Kelvin Banks Jr
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