The Chicago Bears shocked the NFL world on Monday by hiring former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach. BJohnson is a dynamic play-caller who is looking to revitalize the Bears’ offense. However, to get this offense to its potential, Ryan Poles still needs to fix plenty of positional upgrades this offseason.
Specifically, the Bears need to upgrade a few positions on the offensive line and an NFL insider believes the Bears could make a massive upgrade at right guard.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that NFL executives are predicting that the Bears will sign current Chiefs starting right guard Trey Smith during free agency this year
“Chicago is all-in on improving its offense with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach. High on general manager Ryan Poles’ list of improvements will be an underachieving offensive line. Chiefs free agent guard Trey Smith could be an immediate fit.”
“They need help there at guard after the Nate Davis fiasco, and Trey is far and away the best option,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “And they probably need more than him.”
Right guard is an immediate need for the Bears. After Nate Davis’ horrible tenure and with Ryan Bates being injured frequently, Smith would be a perfect fit for this offensive line that needs major help.
Trey Smith would boost the Chicago Bears offensive line tremendously
The Bears offensive line is hands down the biggest concern going into the 2025 season. They allowed a horrific total of 68 sacks in the 2024 season, a franchise record. The offensive line also was injured constantly and struggled with pre-snap penalties, especially in critical game moments. Smith is a star player who would hugely boost this struggling offensive line.
Smith has started in all 55 games he has played for the Chiefs, was on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2021, was a Pro Bowler in 2024, and won two Super Bowls as well. Smith is tremendous in the run block especially. Having a huge boost in the run block will help running back D’Andre Swift and also can help open up the play-action passing game.
The Chicago Bears and Ben Johnson are also linked to another free-agent guard
The right guard is not the only position the Bears need to fix on this offensive line. They also have major holes to fill at left guard and center. Teven Jenkins is likely leaving the team with his contract expiring, and due to his constant injuries, it looks like Poles and the Bears will be moving on. Coleman Shelton’s contract expires this off-season as well and struggled a lot during the 2024 season. The Bears will likely be replacing both this off-season.
Fowler also mentioned that the Bears have another option at guard who was a part of Johnson’s offense in Detroit.
“Johnson’s offense is well assembled at the skill positions with tight end Cole Kmet, running back D”Andre Swift and wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. But the offensive line was a major problem and will be adressed.
Free agent guard Kevin Zeitler, a familiar face to Johnson in Detroit, is another option that makes sense”
Zeitler is an experienced veteran who has started 197 out of the 198 games he has played. He also was a pro bowler in 2023 when with the Ravens. Zeitler played for Johnson’s offense in Detroit in the 2024 season, and there could be a chance that Johnson would want to bring him in to upgrade the offensive line.
Having both Smith and Zeitler would be a massive improvement to this struggling offensive line. There is a good chance that the Bears could take a guard or tackle in the upcoming NFL draft as well.
It will be interesting to see what the Chicago Bears will do to improve the trenches this off-season.
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