The Chicago Bears have always been a team that exhibits a strong rushing attack. It’s part of their longstanding identity. That is why this season has been so frustrating for fans. Make no mistake. Few are taking it harder than head coach Ben Johnson. He has admitted to being annoyed by the team’s inability to run it better, especially since it’s a core part of his offensive system. Many have blamed the running backs for these problems, but Johnson has dismissed that. He believes the issues have been widespread, but particularly up front.
Indeed, the blocking hasn’t been adequate in any sense of the word. Left tackle Braxton Jones was already benched because of his constant mistakes in the run game. The problem is, it might not be just him. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune contacted league sources to gather their perspectives on the situation. It appears they feel the Bears might have a problem with certain players not being the best fit for the scheme they’re trying to run. It isn’t difficult to surmise who they’re talking about.
You’re right, the Bears invested heavily in the offensive line, signing center Drew Dalman in free agency and trading for, and then extending the contracts of, guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. The first goal, I believe, was to create a better pocket for quarterback Caleb Williams, and that has worked when you look at how he has improved in playing on schedule with the sack rate tumbling.
Dalman is regarded as one of the best centers in the league for an outside zone scheme. The Bears haven’t been highly productive doing this, and some have wondered if the rest of the personnel is a great fit for that.
The Chicago Bears may have a Jonah Jackson problem.
Running outside zone is something plenty of teams in the NFL do. However, it is a scheme that requires a specific type of offensive lineman. They must be agile, mobile, and quick. The goal of the outside zone is to get running backs to the edges. For that, linemen must be able to block on the move and in space. Drew Dalman and Joe Thuney fit that perfectly. Jackson wasn’t asked to run many outside zone plays in Detroit. The Lions have mostly been a team that runs a mix of gap power and inside zone. Guards with limited athleticism can function just fine in that situation.
However, things changed once he signed with the Los Angeles Rams, who are primarily an outside zone team. While an injury setback didn’t help matters, he was eventually benched by head coach Sean McVay. It was apparent he didn’t have the necessary range to run the system properly. Now, we must be fair. Jackson has played well after a slow start to the season. His pass protection has been solid. Though he might not be the best fit for this rushing scheme, the Chicago Bears cannot justify benching him.
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They must find a way to deal with it.
