The Chicago Bears focused on shoring up the offensive line this offseason after quarterback Caleb Williams was under duress for most of his rookie season.
Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times — the most in franchise history for a single season — which was far from an ideal situation for a young quarterback. But general manager Ryan Poles, likely with a nudge from new head coach Ben Johnson, overhauled the entire interior offensive line with the addition of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well ass center Drew Dalman.
Jackson, who Chicago acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Rams, will serve a key role in strengthening the interior, which was the biggest weakness last season. And after seeing Williams take 68 sacks and not miss a game, Jackson has a ton of respect for the second-year pro and understands he can thrive with protection.
“He took 68 sacks and was still fighting, still clawing,” Jackson told Go Long’s Tyler Dunne. “You keep him safe, you keep his eyes downfield and away from the rush, he can have fun back there and slice and dice things up.”
Williams had an impressive rookie season despite the chaos around him, where he threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, six interceptions and broke several franchise and NFL rookie records along the way. If the Bears can give him a solid wall in front of him — along with the addition of Johnson at head coach — the sky’s the limit for Williams and this team.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Jonah Jackson respects how Caleb Williams handled adversity as rookie
The Chicago Bears focused on shoring up the offensive line this offseason after quarterback Caleb Williams was under duress for most of his rookie season.
Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times — the most in franchise history for a single season — which was far from an ideal situation for a young quarterback. But general manager Ryan Poles, likely with a nudge from new head coach Ben Johnson, overhauled the entire interior offensive line with the addition of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well ass center Drew Dalman.
Jackson, who Chicago acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Rams, will serve a key role in strengthening the interior, which was the biggest weakness last season. And after seeing Williams take 68 sacks and not miss a game, Jackson has a ton of respect for the second-year pro and understands he can thrive with protection.
“He took 68 sacks and was still fighting, still clawing,” Jackson told Go Long’s Tyler Dunne. “You keep him safe, you keep his eyes downfield and away from the rush, he can have fun back there and slice and dice things up.”
Williams had an impressive rookie season despite the chaos around him, where he threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, six interceptions and broke several franchise and NFL rookie records along the way. If the Bears can give him a solid wall in front of him — along with the addition of Johnson at head coach — the sky’s the limit for Williams and this team.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Jonah Jackson respects how Caleb Williams handled adversity as rookie
