A New Era for the Bears’ O-Line: Two Fresh Faces Bring New Energy
The Chicago Bears will have a new-look offensive line when the team takes the field to face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.
Injuries to left tackle Braxton Jones and left guard Teven Jenkins will push a pair of new starters into the limelight for the Week 17 matchup at Soldier Field. Safety Elijah Hicks (ankle/foot), defensive back Tarvarius Moore (knee), and running back Travis Homer (hamstring) are also out due to injuries. Even with that announcement, the biggest changes this week will happen in the trenches.
Jones was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week after suffering a fractured ankle in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. The third-year starter will not play again this season (which is just two more games, but the injury is the type of thing that would cause a player to be out for a few months). However, Jones is expected to be back well before training camp begins in 2025. Get well soon, big fella.
As for Jenkins, he is out of action this week because of a calf injury that flared up during last week’s loss to the Lions. This will be Jenkins’ second missed game of the year, but the oft-injured lineman has missed parts of a handful of games this season due to injuries. One long-time Bears reporter believes the Bears are set to part ways with Jenkins after the season, citing his injury-riddled past and the need for a clean start.
Who will start on the Chicago Bears’ offensive line?
Teven Jenkins is Pro Football Focus’ 15th-highest-graded guard. Meanwhile, Braxton Jones is PFF’s 20th-highest-graded offensive tackle. So, according to the metrics, the Bears will be trying to fill the shoes of a pair of able-bodied starters with backups. But the way I see it, this is an opportunity for someone to play their way into an extended look or a possible role as a swing lineman next year.
Larry Borom figures to get the start at left tackle this week for Chicago’s football team. Borom has two starts under his belt this season and did not play well in those opportunities. For what it’s worth, Borom did play well at left tackle after Jones left the game because of the injury. Perhaps he could roll over that good performance against Detroit and have it carry over into the Seattle game. At least, that is what we all should be hoping to see.
Jake Curhan played left guard last week in place of Jenkins and was fine. Curhan has played on a couple of spots on the line and has performed admirably in a pinch. The former Seahawks lineman is the type of player I can envision playing his way into a prove-it deal with the Bears this offseason to provide some useful depth. Playing well tonight and in Week 18 could help his case.
