Blocking Issues for Bears

The Bears offensive line ranks near the bottom of the NFL as a group, according to Pro Football Focus grades, but their tackles have some favorable marks.

Braxton Jones Jr. continues to impress despite the penalty flags.

At least in the analytical world he does.

The Bears left tackle is ranked the 13th best pass blocker among all tackles, left or right, by Pro Football Focus.

PFF released its offensive line grades and group rankings, and has the Bears at No. 30 overall as a unit. Jones has been flagged six times for 35 yards with one declined, which is four more penalties than anyone else on the team.

"Despite the struggles of the Chicago offensive line, Jones looks even better than in his rookie season," Zoltán Buday wrote. "After allowing 42 pressures in 2022, he is on pace to give up just 34 in 2023."

The only other offensive lineman penalized so far is rookie right tackle Darnell Wright with two for 10 yards, according to NFL statistics at NFLGSIS.com.

The only offensive lines ranked by PFF as worse than the Bears after two games are the Houston Texans (31st) and the New York Giants (32nd).

Jones' run blocking hasn't been as good, according to PFF. He ranks 36th in run blocking and this was his strength last year.

Wright is ranked 31st among all tackles and 10th as a run blocker among tackles.

Left guard Cody Whitehair is ranked 63rd as a pass blocker out of 71 guards and 50th overall PFF graded

Center Lucas Patrick is graded last overall out of 33 center according to PFF marks, and last in the league as a run blocker at that position.

The line is still without starting left guard Teven Jenkins. He is on IR with calf injuries. Whitehair was moved from center to left guard to take his place. Right guard Nate Davis missed the last game following a death in his family, and Ja'Tyre Carter played the position.  

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