It’s Day 55 of the Chicago Bears offseason. March 1 is an emotionally complex day for yours truly, as it was on this date in 2017 when my mother unexpectedly passed away at age 54. I miss her lots and wish she was around to see how I’ve grown over the last eight years. But in a way, she lives on through the life lessons and recipes she passed onto me. If your mom is still around, call her, send her a treat, take her to lunch … just do something nice for her. It’s something I wish I could do today.
I woke up this morning with a bunch of offensive line thoughts on my mind. Before I even got out of bed, I posted a bunch of them in this BlueSky thread. It wasn’t too long after that when I realized that it would make quality Bullets fodder. So I’ve cleaned up my unfiltered morning thoughts and have repackaged them for your Saturday BN Bears Bullets enjoyment. Please enjoy! There are two center options I really like for the Bears. In one corner, you have Drew Dalman. The 26-year-old center has established himself as a quality interior offensive lineman and could bring stability to a position that has been nothing more than a revolving door of disappointment in recent years. And in the other corner resides Ryan Kelly. The 31-year-old is a four-time Pro Bowler who could be a strong veteran presence on a short-term deal. Retirement chatter surrounding Kelly is a yellow flag because I don’t want another Orlando Pace situation. But an upgrade is an upgrade and beggars can’t be too choosy.BEARS FREE AGENT TARGET PROFILES: C Drew Dalman | G Will Fries
MORE: Alternative Paths to Building the Offensive Line
Speaking of left guard options, here is a notable nugget on Will Fries: The soon-to-be free agent played 11 snaps at left guard in 2021. It makes me wonder if he could go back to that position if signed in free agency. If so, then perhaps that helps his stock as an option at the position for the Bears. If Chicago goes with a vet at left guard, my preference is to have someone who has played the position before. It isn’t a requirement and my stance here is a soft one. I can be moved off of it with the right argument. The other notable right guard option on our radar is Kevin Zeitler, who has reportedly been trying to get Chicago’s attention in free agency for years. Maybe Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson can nudge GM Ryan Poles into making a sensible move. Signing Zeitler, who turns 35 on March 8, to a bridge deal that would allow the Bears to draft and develop his apprentice is a sensible idea. Someone should put that in the suggestion box at Halas Hall.NEW NAMES EMERGE AS POSSIBLE BEARS OFFENSIVE LINE TARGETS IN FREE AGENCY
Yesterday, I learned how polarizing the idea of signing Aaron Banks was to Bears fans. To be clear, I’m not pounding the table for it. But if the price is right, I can see Banks being a quality starter at left guard and placeholder for a long-term option to be drafted later. Even still … I think I’d rather run it back with Teven Jenkins on a one-year “prove it” deal and draft someone to put behind him in April than roll the dice on Banks. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) ICYMI: The Kansas City Chiefs gave Pro Bowl right guard Trey Smith the Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag treatment. I suppose the Chiefs *COULD* use the tag to create a trade, which is what the team did last year with cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. But not only do I not see that coming, I don’t think K.C. would do it. And from a Bears perspective, I’m not sure re-creating the Sneed trade would be a great idea. This feels like a trap. The Bears should be working to bring back Matt Pryor as a swing offensive lineman. Guys who can play four positions on the offensive line with any amount of adequacy don’t grow on trees. If Chicago doesn’t bring Pryor back, I hope the team has a better backup OL option than Ryan Bates — who I can’t believe is still on this roster. Maybe Bears GM Ryan Poles is retaining him because he wants to justify his pursuit and commitment to Bates. That’s honorable, but it doesn’t seem smart. Bears Twitter is going to be inconsolable if the perfect offensive line prospect goes ninth overall. Nov 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Bears C Ryan Bates (71) practices before the game against the Patriots at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images My dream Week 1 starting offensive line: LT Ronnie Stanley, LG Mekhi Becton, C Drew Dalman, RG Kevin Zeitler, RT Darnell Wright. I don’t think Stanley makes it to free agency, but he’d be a perfect bridge to a long-term left tackle option. Maybe signing Stanley could facilitate a Braxton Jones trade. Don’t mind me. I’m just spitballing on a Saturday morning. A realistic version of my ideal Week 1 starting offensive line: LT Braxton Jones, LG Will Fries, C Drew Dalman, RG Mekhi Becton, RT Darnell Wright. Everyone on this line will play in their age-27 season or younger in 2025. My thought process here is to reel in young players with starting experience who can grow with quarterback Caleb Williams while he is on his rookie deal. How I think the offensive line will line up in Week 1: LT Braxton Jones, LG Aaron Banks, C Drew Dalman, RG Kevin Zeitler, RT Darnell Wright. Hey, this wouldn’t be bad. Three new interior OL starters with two clear upgrades. This scenario playing out would still create a path for the Bears to draft offensive linemen early in the 2025 NFL Draft.MORE AT BLEACHER NATION! Play Fantasy | Newsletter | Cubs | Bulls | Blackhawks
Spring Training Miscellany: The Cubs Tied AGAIN [image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation (@bleachernation.bsky.social) February 28, 2025 at 5:05 PMMUST WATCH: Coby White Converts Crazy 4-Point Play to Send Bulls to OT www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/0…[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@bn-bulls.bsky.social) February 28, 2025 at 11:54 PMRecalls, New Lines (Again), More Trade Talk, Prospect Highlights, and Other #Blackhawks Bullets www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2…[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@bn-blackhawks.bsky.social) March 1, 2025 at 8:57 AM Read More Details
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