Bears GM Ryan Poles has positioned Chicago to achieve something last accomplished by his former team that can help lead to a Super Bowl
The Chicago Bears believe they have three Pro Bowl caliber players on the offensive line and could look to follow in the footsteps of the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs team that won the Super Bowl.
The work Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson did rebuilding the team’s offensive line last season was outstanding and proved to show immediate improvements on the field, both in the run game and protecting quarterback Caleb Williams.
While the Bears still have question marks going into the 2026 season at left tackle (again) and center, the Bears can feel very confident about the three positions up-front.
In fact, those three players have the potential to pull off a rare feat this upcoming season and there’s no reason to believe why they couldn’t do it.
Could the Chicago Bears send three OL to the Pro Bowl in 2026 after barely missing out in 2025?
Last season, the Bears sent two offensive linemen to the Pro Bowl in left guard Joe Thuney and center Drew Dalman. Chicago even had a very strong case for right tackle Darnell Wright to be included in that group after having an All-Pro worthy season.
Instead, Wright was snubbed from the Pro Bowl and the Bears missed out on a rare NFL feat of sending three different offensive linemen to the Pro Bowl in the same season. It’s something that hasn’t been done since the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs (Thuney, center Creed Humphrey, and tackle Orlando Brown Jr.) and it makes sense that team went on to win the Super Bowl with those three dominating up-front.
Prior to the Chiefs, the last team to accomplish the feat was the Dallas Cowboys, two separate times in 2016 and 2014, with center Travis Fredrick, guard Zack Martin, and tackle Tyron Smith. The Cowboys won 12+ games and a division title in each of those two seasons.
The Bears are once again looking to be the next team to send three offensive linemen to the Pro Bowl and the three players already have strong cases going into this season.
Joe Thuney is the ‘blueprint’ along with being the reigning Protector of the Year
Let’s first start with Thuney, who’s virtually a lock to make the Pro Bowl before the season begins. Thuney has earned four consecutive Pro Bowls selections and is the reigning Protector of the Year, a new award handed out last season to the league’s top offensive lineman.
“It’s awesome, especially a guy like that, a decorated veteran, a great guy on and off the field,” Bears right guard Jonah Jackson said of Thuney. “The blueprint to what you want as not just an interior O-lineman, but an offensive lineman in general.”
Thuney is the ultimate pro, regardless of position. He’s the model of consistency every single day and continues to play at an elite level, even at age 33. As long as he remains healthy, a fifth straight Pro Bowl nod will be waiting for him.
“He’s the same guy every single day,” Jackson added. “Probably the most consistent person outside of Ben [Johnson] that I have seen in the league. He handles his business. He’s a grown-up.”
Darnell Wright has a clear runway with Penei Sewell kicking over to left tackle
Circling back to Wright, the Bears ascending star at right tackle was a second-team All-Pro selection last year and should have been a Pro Bowler. He even did that while playing basically three quarters of the season with a torn labrum in his elbow. It goes to show the kind of freak he is and he’s only getting better in this new offense.
“He popped out on the tape when I was in Detroit,” Jackson said of Wright. “Working next to him, seeing how he works and his ability, they call him the unicorn. He can do anything, and I think this year ahead will be even better.”
Wright’s lone competition in the NFC at the right tackle spot was Detroit Lions star Penei Sewell. Fortunately for Wright, Sewell is kicking over to left tackle this upcoming season, opening the door for him to earn his first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selection, and lock in an expensive new contract extension.
Jonah Jackson is the real question mark to watch this season
The third player in contention is right guard Jonah Jackson, who’s earned a Pro Bowl nod before in his career playing under Johnson’s offense in Detroit. After reuniting with Johnson in Chicago last season, Jackson’s impact was highly underappreciated.
“He’s played a lot of ball,” Johnson said of Jackson. “He’s played in big games, he’s played at a high level. As far as I’m concerned, he played at a Pro Bowl level last year as well. Certainly didn’t get those accolades, but hopefully another year fully healthy, he’ll get that recognition.”
After earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2022, Jackson’s career the next three seasons got derailed by injuries. Last year was a strong sign that, when healthy, he can still be a force on the offensive front. Which provides optimism that he can earn another accolade for himself this upcoming season.
“It was big, just getting confidence back and knowing what I’m able to do and how I can contribute to the team,” Jackson said. “I just want to build off it. I’m still in my prime years. I’ve got some juice left in the tank.”