Bears Revamp Their O-Line: How It Stacks Up Against the Lions
The Chicago Bears aren’t messing around when it comes to their offensive line. In just a week, GM Ryan Poles made some major moves to reshape the unit, bringing in veteran talent to bolster the trenches.
It all started with a trade for Jonah Jackson from the Rams, followed by a blockbuster deal to acquire four-time Super Bowl champ Joe Thuney from the Chiefs. Then, on the first day of free agency, the Bears locked in former Falcons center Drew Dalman with a three-year, $42 million deal. With these additions, Chicago’s O-line is looking completely different from last season.
So, how does this new-look Bears unit compare to what head coach Ben Johnson had in Detroit last season? Let’s break it down.
Left Tackle: Taylor Decker vs. Braxton Jones
Decker was a rock for the Lions in 2024, playing nearly 900 snaps and earning his first Pro Bowl nod. He gave up eight sacks but was solid overall, finishing with a 77.0 PFF grade.
Meanwhile, Braxton Jones dealt with injuries and missed a chunk of the season for Chicago. When healthy, he played well, allowing five sacks and earning a slightly higher 77.4 PFF grade. However, durability remains a concern.
Left Guard: Graham Glasgow vs. Joe Thuney
Glasgow, a Lions veteran, struggled at times last season, allowing four sacks and earning just a 57.9 PFF grade. In contrast, Thuney was an absolute wall for the Chiefs—zero sacks allowed all season. His 79.0 overall grade shows just how much of an upgrade he is for the Bears.
Center: Frank Ragnow vs. Drew Dalman
Ragnow has been a cornerstone of Detroit’s O-line, earning his fourth Pro Bowl selection last year with an elite 85.3 PFF grade. Dalman, Chicago’s new center, had a solid year before missing time with an ankle injury. His 78.8 grade suggests he can be a reliable piece, but he’ll have to prove he can stay on the field.
Right Guard: Kevin Zeitler vs. Jonah Jackson
Zeitler, a 13-year veteran, had a strong year for the Lions, particularly in the run game (87.2 PFF run-blocking grade). Jackson, now with the Bears, barely played in 2024 due to injury. When healthy, he’s a solid lineman, but Chicago will need him to stay on the field.
Right Tackle: Penei Sewell vs. Darnell Wright
Sewell was dominant in 2024, allowing just one sack all season and earning a massive 87.5 overall grade. Wright, entering his third year, showed improvement last season, bumping his PFF grade from 62.4 as a rookie to 79.3. He’s trending in the right direction, but he’s not on Sewell’s level yet.
What’s the Verdict?
There’s no question the Bears’ O-line is significantly better than last season. But is it as good as what the Lions had? Detroit’s line was bigger, more experienced, and featured four first-round picks, compared to just one for Chicago.
That said, the Bears’ new unit is younger (average age: 26.8 vs. Detroit’s 29.8) and filled with proven talent. With Ben Johnson’s scheme now in place, this group has the potential to be one of the better O-lines in the league—if they stay healthy.
Chicago isn’t just copying the Lions; they’re building something new. And so far, it looks like they’re off to a strong start.
Bears vs. Lions: How Chicago’s New O-Line Stacks Up After Ryan Poles’ Bold Moves
