The Chicago Bears made headlines by improving all three positions of their interior offensive line this offseason, which included the trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as the free-agent signing of center Drew Dalman. The Bears have made a real commitment to rebuilding an offensive line that allowed a league-high 68 sacks last year.
Upgrading the offensive line not only will help quarterback Caleb Williams going into his second season in the NFL, but provides a clean slate for new head coach Ben Johnson and his coaching staff to work with. First-time offensive coordinator Declan Doyle recognized the line was an area that had a big need for improvement, and then general manager Ryan Poles went to work.
Doyle explained how the process came about for the coaches identifying the need and how it all came together.
“That was an area we really wanted to make an improvement,” Doyle said at the start of the offseason program. “Coming in here, the first thing we did is every position coach evaluated his room, I evaluated the whole unit. That was something we really wanted to be aggressive about in free agency, kind of a vision with Ryan (Poles) and his staff. I think it helps immensely.
“You add Joe Thuney and the leadership he brings to the room, a guy with skins on the walls, has had success in the league. You bring in Drew and Drew can take pressure off of Caleb (Williams) in some ways because he can help with some of the communication. And then obviously adding Jonah as well. We’re really excited about all three of those guys. We had that opportunity to add in free agency and we’re going to have that opportunity again in the draft.”
The Bears also drafted offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo in the second round, as well as guard Luke Newman in the sixth round. Trapilo will likely compete for a starting tackle job while Newman will serve as key depth at guard and center. It’s been a pretty impressive offseason for a Chicago offensive line that was among the worst in the league last year.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears OC Declan Doyle talks offensive line improvement
The Chicago Bears made headlines by improving all three positions of their interior offensive line this offseason, which included the trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as the free-agent signing of center Drew Dalman. The Bears have made a real commitment to rebuilding an offensive line that allowed a league-high 68 sacks last year.
Upgrading the offensive line not only will help quarterback Caleb Williams going into his second season in the NFL, but provides a clean slate for new head coach Ben Johnson and his coaching staff to work with. First-time offensive coordinator Declan Doyle recognized the line was an area that had a big need for improvement, and then general manager Ryan Poles went to work.
Doyle explained how the process came about for the coaches identifying the need and how it all came together.
“That was an area we really wanted to make an improvement,” Doyle said at the start of the offseason program. “Coming in here, the first thing we did is every position coach evaluated his room, I evaluated the whole unit. That was something we really wanted to be aggressive about in free agency, kind of a vision with Ryan (Poles) and his staff. I think it helps immensely.
“You add Joe Thuney and the leadership he brings to the room, a guy with skins on the walls, has had success in the league. You bring in Drew and Drew can take pressure off of Caleb (Williams) in some ways because he can help with some of the communication. And then obviously adding Jonah as well. We’re really excited about all three of those guys. We had that opportunity to add in free agency and we’re going to have that opportunity again in the draft.”
The Bears also drafted offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo in the second round, as well as guard Luke Newman in the sixth round. Trapilo will likely compete for a starting tackle job while Newman will serve as key depth at guard and center. It’s been a pretty impressive offseason for a Chicago offensive line that was among the worst in the league last year.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears OC Declan Doyle talks offensive line improvement
