The Chicago Bears are finally doing something right in the trenches, and it only took four decades. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bears' offensive line heads into the 2025 season ranked 4th best in the NFL. Let that marinate. For a franchise that’s spent the last 40 years giving its quarterbacks PTSD, that’s not just an improvement — it’s a damn revelation.
But this jaw-dropping turnaround got me wondering: When was the last time the Bears had a Top 5 offensive line — and what the hell did it do for them?
To answer that, we’ve got to time-travel back to the golden era of Chicago football. Let’s break down the past, rip into the long drought of mediocrity, and finally appreciate what this 2025 line could mean for a franchise desperate to matter again.
The Gold Standard: 1985
Let’s not sugarcoat it — 1985 was the last time the Bears had a truly elite offensive line. That year wasn’t just about Buddy Ryan’s killer defense or Mike Ditka’s sideline rage. It was also about a dominant offensive line that allowed Walter Payton to punish defenses and kept Jim McMahon upright long enough to win games.
The Starting Five (aka Legends)
- LT: Jimbo Covert – All-Pro, Pro Bowl, and now a Hall of Famer. The dude was a human bulldozer.
- LG: Mark Bortz – Reliable and tough as nails.
- C: Jay Hilgenberg – 7-time Pro Bowler, 5-time All-Pro. Center of gravity for the offense.
- RG: Tom Thayer – Solid starter with brains and grit.
- RT: Keith Van Horne – A wall on the right side.
These guys didn't just hold the line — they controlled the damn game. Covert and Hilgenberg alone were arguably the best left tackle-center combo in the league at the time. If you’re building an all-time Bears O-line, four of these five dudes make the cut.
What That Line Did for the Team
The Bears went 15-1 in the regular season, destroyed the competition in the playoffs with back-to-back shutouts, and annihilated the Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.
- Walter Payton rushed for 1,551 yards at age 31 (Pro Football Reference).
- Jim McMahon went 14-0 as a starter.
- The offense controlled tempo, clock, and morale.
- The defense didn’t have to bail out a struggling offense every series (even though they could).
That line made life easier for everybody. The Bears led the league in rushing and executed a smashmouth identity that scared the crap out of opponents. The 1985 offense worked not just because of Payton’s greatness, but because the big boys up front cleared the path.
The 40-Year Trench Warfare Drought
After 1985, the Bears’ offensive line basically entered witness protection. Sure, there were flashes of decency — but never anything close to dominant.
The 2000s: Olin Kreutz & Not Much Else
Center Olin Kreutz was a six-time Pro Bowler and heart-and-soul leader from 1998 to 2010. But outside of him? Meh.
Per Pro Football Reference, the 2002 unit allowed only 17 sacks, lowest in the NFL. Not bad. But was the rest of the line elite? Hell no. That was more about scheme and conservative playcalling.
2013: A Blip of Competence
In 2013, the line actually looked decent with:
- LT: Jermon Bushrod
- LG: Matt Slauson
- C: Roberto Garza
- RG: Kyle Long (rookie Pro Bowler)
- RT: Jordan Mills
They allowed only 30 sacks, a huge upgrade over past years. But they still weren’t top-tier (Pro Football Reference). That team missed the playoffs and the offense collapsed late in games.
2024: The Rock Bottom
Let’s not forget how bad things got. In 2024, the Bears allowed a franchise-worst 68 sacks (PFF). That’s not a stat — it’s an indictment.
- The line was a turnstile.
- Caleb Williams was runninh for his life.
- The offense couldn’t function.
That embarrassment set the stage for a total overhaul in 2025.
The 2025 Renaissance: Building a Wall
General Manager Ryan Poles finally decided to get serious about the trenches. And damn, did he deliver.
The New Starting Five:
- LT: Braxton Jones – Developing nicely, top 22 in PFF grade last season.
- LG: Joe Thuney – 2x First-Team All-Pro, Super Bowl experience, technician.
- C: Drew Dalman – Top-5 center per PFF, smart and physical.
- RG: Jonah Jackson – Pro Bowl talent when healthy.
- RT: Darnell Wright – Physical freak, high ceiling, solid sophomore season.
That interior trio might be the best the Bears have had since the Reagan administration. And the tackles have shown enough promise to anchor both edges.
Why It Matters
- Caleb Williams needs time to throw. Now he might actually get it.
- Run game balance is back. No more 3rd-and-9s every damn drive.
- Play-action and bootlegs become real weapons.
This line isn’t just better — it’s championship-caliber. PFF ranked them #4 for a reason. If this group stays healthy, the Bears’ entire offensive ceiling changes.
What’s At Stake in 2025
Let’s get real: this team goes as far as the O-line takes them. The defense is solid. Caleb has potential. The WR room is respectable.
But if this line plays like a Top-5 unit?
- Caleb becomes the franchise QB we’ve all been dying for.
- The Bears contend in the NFC North.
- This fanbase dares to believe again.
If not?
- It’s another rebuild.
- Another year of QB questions.
- Another year of broken promises.
Final Verdict
The last time the Bears had a Top-5 offensive line, they won the damn Super Bowl. This 2025 squad? They finally have the foundation to stop the losing culture. No more excuses. No more scapegoats.
This is the year where Bears football can finally stop being a historical meme and start punching people in the mouth again. And it all starts up front.
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