Chicago Bears Offensive Line Analysis Through Week 15

Due to a squeezed schedule from the holidays, no videos are included this week. However, you can check out the Bears On Tap offensive line film review on YouTube.

Bears Pass Block Rankings

Darnell Wright was the Bears highest-graded pass blocker in week 15. His pass-blocking grade of 72.5 is par for the course. Through week 15, Wright has posted a pass-blocking grade of 71.5, which is considered to be above average.

Behind him are Matt Pryor and Coleman Shelton, who both posted relatively average grades in pass protection. Pryor had a solid enough game, limiting his mistakes and occasionally showcasing his brute strength. Shelton was more like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, though. Watching Shelton's tape in this one was an experience. He was constantly either on the ground or putting someone in the ground without much in between.

Rounding out the group were Teven Jenkins and Kiran Amegadjie, who posted below-average grades in pass protection. Jenkins posted his third-worst grade of the season, potentially feeling the impact of playing next to a third-round rookie. Meanwhile, Amegadjie sank when posed with a sink-or-swim opportunity to start. While the rookie continued to show developable traits, he struggled to process the Vikings fronts and stay in phase with his assignments.

Bears Run Block Rankings

Through 14 games, the Bears run-blocking grades have been mediocre. On the season, Teven Jenkins has been the best run blocker on the team with a slightly above-average grade of 66.9.

Against the Vikings, the Bears run-blocking continued to be fine on an individual basis, but not good enough as a group. One-off misses and poor blocking from tight ends and wide receivers continued to derail run concepts. Schematic issues are also coming to light, such as asking Cole Kmet to dictate Jonathan Greenard's direction one-on-one.

Coleman Shelton had a good day as a run blocker, posting a grade of 78.8. Shelton played like a man on fire on Monday night, potentially showing out for his upcoming contract negotiations.

Both Teven Jenkins and Matt Pryor graded at 64.8 on Monday night. Pryor had the most run block wins of any game this season but lost more reps than he won. Meanwhile, Jenkins was fine but unspectacular, without many clear wins or losses. Jenkins has had a fine season, but the injuries have sapped some of his run-blocking prowess.

Closing out the group were Darnell Wright and Kiran Amegadjie. Wright posted a below-average grade for the sixth time this season and for the third straight game. There was a rep mid-game where Wright went down and stayed down in pain. Across from him, Amegadjie struggled mightily in the run game. His feet, punch, and timing were consistently off, and he could use some more power to jolt defenders. He will have a full off-season to work on honing his craft.

Bears Offensive Line Rankings

1. Darnell Wright (RT / no change)
2. Teven Jenkins (LG / no change)
3. Braxton Jones (LT / no change)
4. Coleman Shelton (C / +1)
5. Matt Pryor (RG / -1)
6. Bill Murray (OG / no change)*
7. Jake Curhan (OL / no change)
8. Ryan Bates (OG / no change)
9. Larry Borom (OT / +1)
10. Kiran Amegadjie (LT / -1)
11. Doug Kramer (iOL / no change)

Final Thoughts

Through week 15, the Bears best five offensive linemen are Darnell Wright, Teven Jenkins, Braxton Jones, Coleman Shelton, and Matt Pryor.

Watching Kiran Amegadjie is fun. He loses too many reps, struggles with blocking form, and gets lucky in awkward positions, but you see so much natural ability in his frame. After all, if it weren't for his athleticism and balance, he couldn't get into those awkward positions, he would just be in the dirt. Amegadjie's combination of length, balance, flexibility, and natural anchor make him worth the time it could take to develop him. He might not be ready to start until 2027, but the requisite traits to be a good offensive tackle are there.

The Bears offensive line is a painfully average group. The only player who can elevate is Darnell Wright. Unless you have a true blue-chip tackle like Penei Sewell, Tristan Wirfs, Lane Johnson, or Trent Williams, I believe you need two players who can elevate the play of the group. Last year, Teven Jenkins looked like a player who could do just that, but he has not been the same in 2024.

I expect the Bears to be aggressive in free agency and the draft to fill holes in the trenches, but players who elevate don't hit the open market often. Maybe the Chiefs Trey Smith or the Colts Will Fries fit the bill, but there is no guarantee that either will elevate others' play. The best place to find those players is through the NFL Draft.