As the Chicago Bears aim to strengthen their roster following key offensive line acquisitions, expectations for the team this season are high. Many view the Bears as an improved squad, particularly in the trenches, and head coach Ben Johnson shared his thoughts on the new additions and their potential impact.
Among the key moves, Chicago traded for Pro Bowl-caliber linemen Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs and Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams. Additionally, though not officially announced, the team also brought in center Drew Dalman. Johnson emphasized the team’s desire for tough and relentless players, stating on the team’s website that they sought “gritty” and “dirty individuals.”
“We want tough, gritty, dirty individuals, and we feel really good about the two guys we brought in,” Johnson said. “’Smart’ is another key trait, especially for interior linemen. We want versatility in our scheme, the ability to be multiple in what we do.”
He added, “We now have a few guys in the building who we believe can handle a variety of different schemes and concepts we may implement week to week. Beyond that, their on-field performance speaks for itself. Their character and integrity are top-tier. With the coaching staff we’ve assembled for this group, I’m confident in the style of play we’ll showcase this season.”