The Chicago Bears are preparing to take on the reigning NFC North champion Detroit Lions in an effort to lock up the number two seed in their conference. However, they may be forced to play without one of their key starters along the offensive line.
Starting guard Jonah Jackson surprisingly surfaced on the injury report Thursday, January 1, after not being listed at all during the rest of the week. It’s listed that he is dealing with an illness, putting his status in question for the Bears’ Week 18 matchup.
GettyChicago Bears guard Jonah Jackson has only allowed three sacks this season.
Jackson has been one of the most reliable protectors in the NFL this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson has an offensive grade of 74.3, marking him as a top 20 guard. Jackson has been a staple on the offensive line for Chicago, starting every game and playing 100 percent of the snaps in 14 of 16 games.
CBS Sports reported that if Jackson is unable to go in the regular season finale, “Luke Newman and Jordan McFadden will both be candidates to take his place.”
Newman is a rookie sixth-round selection out of Michigan State who returned from injured reserve last week. McFadden is in his third season with the team after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 draft out of Clemson.
With Detroit ranking fourth in pass rush efficiency this season, Chicago will need to be all hands on deck to protect Caleb Williams as they prepare for their postseason run.
Bears’ Offseason Offensive Line Additions Paying Dividends
GettyChicago Bears center Drew Dalman has only allowed one sack this season.
Coming into the season, Ben Johnson knew he had to address the instability of the offensive line after Caleb Williams was subject to a league-high 68 sacks his rookie year. That number is all the way down to 23 as we round out the regular season.
Some of that can be credited to Williams’ quicker decision-making, but most of it should be attributed to the consistency of the big men up front.
Last offseason, the Bears traded for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, while signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. These moves fortified the interior front for Chicago. There have been a few rotations at the tackle spots between Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, Darnell Wright, and Ozzy Trapilo, but overall, it’s been relatively consistent.
Pro Football Focus has Chicago’s offensive line graded as the second-highest pass blocking unit and the third-highest run blocking unit so far this season.
In just one season, Chicago has transformed its offensive line from a concern into a source of confidence.
Caleb Williams on the Verge of Bears’ History
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has thrown for 3,730 yards this season.
Chicago has never had a quarterback pass for 4,000 yards. Ben Johnson downplayed the significance of Williams potentially crossing the 4,000-yard barrier on Sunday. And by all means, he is correct in the sense that it is an arbitrary number that does not help the team.
However, it would still be a significant achievement for a young quarterback, the franchise, and the fans. Williams is only 270 yards away from the record. Ben Johnson is concerned with taking down Detroit, but what a cherry on top, checking off the 4,000-yard box, would be, especially against his former employer.
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