Update On Chicago Bears O-Line Should Thrill Matt Eberflus

One of the primary concerns going into this season for the Chicago Bears was their offensive line. Justin Fields was sacked 55 times last year. That is not sustainable for any quarterback. If this team wanted to have a viable passing attack, they had to improve their protection up front. Training camp practices weren't a great indicator. It felt like the quarterbacks were getting pressured a lot. The preseason opener against Tennessee might offer some ideas of what the Bears are working with.

As it turns out, the Bears' defensive line does that to everybody. The Titans allowed nine sacks in the game, none of them to projected starters like Yannick Ngakoue, DeMarcus Walker, and Justin Jones. The Bears offensive line had a standout performance in pass protection. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus revealed they allowed only three total pressures the entire afternoon. Neither sack was their fault, as both resulted from the quarterbacks not getting the ball out on time.

The Chicago Bears offensive line looks sharper.

Keep in mind there was no scheming of any kind. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy called a basic game plan. It was on the linemen to simply outperform their opponents with minimal help. They did that. Almost every stunt and blitz the Titans threw at them was picked up well. Their downfield blocking was also outstanding, as the D.J. Moore and Khalil Herbert touchdowns can attest. Justin Fields was only pressured once, and that was because the play call was a screen. Preseason or not, it was an encouraging sign.

Offensive line coach Chris Morgan deserves lots of credit. He's been working with a mostly very young depth chart of players. Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, and Ja'Tyre Carter are all in their first or second seasons. Teven Jenkins is in his third and playing another new position at left guard. If this level of efficiency holds up into the regular season, the Chicago Bears offense will be far more dangerous than last year. One must also give GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus credit for putting this group together.