It took the Bears six days in March to turn their biggest weakness into their strength — and eventually their identity.
On March 4, general manager Ryan Poles traded a sixth-round pick for Rams guard Jonah Jackson, who played for coach Ben Johnson in Detroit. The next day, he moved a 2026 fourth-rounder for Chiefs guard Joe Thuney, one of the sport’s most respected linemen and consistent winners. Five days after that, the Bears made the Falcons’ Drew Dalman the highest-paid center in the NFL.
Tuesday, two of the three were honored as among the best in the NFL. Thuney was chosen to his fourth-straight Pro Bowl, Dalman the first of his career. They joined Bears safety Kevin Byard, who leads the league with six interceptions, on an all-star team that has become ceremonial. The NFL hasn’t played a padded game in four years; rather, the Pro Bowl Games will consist of a flag football game in San Francisco during Super Bowl week.
The Bears had only one Pro Bowl player last year: cornerback Jaylon Johnson. They haven’t totaled three or more since they sent four in 2019. Dalman and Thuney are the first Bears offensive linemen sent to the Pro Bowl since Charles Leno and Cody Whitehair went in 2018.
The Bears’ offensive line was a laughingstock last year, allowing quarterback Caleb Williams to be sacked 68 times — the third-most in the history of football. This year, he’s been sacked just 23 times. Last year, the Bears’ 1,734 rushing yards were eighth from the bottom of the NFL. This year, they rank second with 2,281 rushing yards — and counting.
Credit head coach Ben Johnson, who’s running plays are the most impressive part of his scheme. And D’Andre Swift, who has learned to stay on his rushing track rather than trying to hit home runs. And rookie Kyle Monangai, whose physicality rubs off on his teammates. Both the coach and running backs, though, would point to the line.
“If I’m being honest, an individual award for O-line play feels a little silly,” Dalman said “Because I just rely on those guys every single play all the time.”
Four of the Bears’ starting five linemen — all but Darnell Wright — joined the team this offseason. Tackle Ozzy Trapilo was a second-round pick in April. Getting the line to gel on the fly was an offseason priority, but something the Bears couldn’t rush.
“I think it just has to come naturally,” Dalman said. “Guys will feel when it’s a genuine connection and friendship and all that stuff. It just comes with time.”
That’s a credit to Dalman, Thuney said.
“He’s put in so much time and work this season and he’s done great things on the field — getting everyone in the right direction,” Thuney said “And then plays so hard.”
Dalman can appreciate how far the Bears have come, even as he insists there’s more work to do.
“When we look back to April and early training camp and things like that, it’s nice to see the progress and just the camaraderie and everything with the guys,” he said. “So that all feels like it’s moving in the right direction., and it’s been really fun to be a part of.”
Thuney is Pro Football Focus’ eighth-ranked guard and Dalman is its seventh-ranked center. Thuney won four Super Bowl titles — two with the Patriots and two with the Chiefs. He knows what winning football looks like — and how awards season compares.
“I think the team goals are way more important,” he said. “There’s still more things you want to do, and a lot of football left.”
The 32-year-old Byard has now made the Pro Bowl three times, all four years apart — in 2017, 2021 and 2025. He knows that the honor is a result of the way the 11-4 Bears are playing.
“When you’re winning a lot of games,” he said, “you get recognized for it.”
