Chicago Bears’ Offensive Line Remodel Proves Value Trumps Hype at Running Back
The Chicago Bears are in first place in the NFC North with a 9-3 record, and while there are many reasons for their success, none is more significant than the masterful reconstruction of their offensive line. This remodeled unit has transformed the team’s identity, creating a dominant rushing attack that proves a long-held football truth: an elite offensive line is more valuable than a hyped-up running back.
Chicago Bears Offseason Moves
This past offseason, much of the draft discussion surrounding the Bears centered on adding a star running back, with many fans hoping the team would select a dynamic talent like Ashton Jeanty. While Jeanty would have been a great addition, the Bears’ current success demonstrates that building from the trenches is the smarter, more sustainable path to winning.
Building a Dominant Force Up Front
The Bears made a series of calculated investments in their offensive line that have paid massive dividends. The front office brought in key pieces through the draft, free agency, and trades, assembling a formidable group that includes second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo at left tackle, prized free agent center Drew Dalman, and veterans Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson at guard.
The result is the most effective rushing attack in the NFL. The Bears lead the league in rushing yards per game and are consistently able to impose their will on opponents. In their recent victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, they ran for an incredible 281 yards, with both Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift eclipsing the 100-yard mark. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the direct result of an offensive line that is physically dominating opponents.
You Can Find Value at Running Back
The success of Monangai and Swift behind this line is a powerful argument against using premium draft capital on the running back position. The Bears are showing that when you have a line that can consistently create massive running lanes, talented but less-heralded backs can produce at an elite level. This isn’t a knock on the players carrying the ball, but rather a testament to the environment created for them.
The running backs have been decisive and explosive, but their success is a function of the holes being opened up front. As Monangai said after the Eagles game, “We challenged them in the beginning of the week, they knew what it was, and they showed up. The O-line had a great game. They were moving people.”
This approach allows the team to allocate valuable resources to other positions, like fortifying the line or adding pieces to the defense, while still reaping the benefits of a top-tier ground game. While the allure of a superstar running back is strong, the Bears are providing a clear blueprint for success: build a dominant offensive line, and the running game will follow. The hype around individual players will always exist, but the true value lies in the trenches.
