The Chicago Bears didn’t spend heavily in free agency this year, but they were active across multiple areas. That was particularly true on the offensive line. It started with trading for veteran center Garrett Bradbury from New England. Drew Dalman had just retired, and the team needed a reliable option in the middle. Next came some decisions at left tackle. Unsurprisingly, the Bears opted to bring back Braxton Jones. He knows the system, has starting experience, and can be a solid hand when healthy. The much bigger surprise was the arrival of Jedrick Wills, the former 10th overall pick in 2020. It was a move met with a shrug of the shoulders at first. Tom Thayer liked the move only because it improved team depth.
However, it sounds like the former Bears guard has changed his stance in the past three weeks. He appeared on Kap & J. Hood for ESPN 1000 to discuss the team’s new-look line. Thayer openly stated that Wills could be the steal of the offseason, provided he is healthy after missing most of the past two seasons due to a unique knee injury. It is such that the longtime analyst even believes it isn’t necessary for the Bears to draft an offensive tackle early.
Tom Thayer usually can be trusted with his takes.
After all, he was one of the first to praise the Bears when they drafted Jones in 2022. He stated early on that the rookie tackle should be considered a real threat to start. He loved the Darnell Wright pick a year later and knew immediately what sort of impact Joe Thuney would have when the Bears traded for him. The point is, Thayer knows capable offensive linemen when he sees them. It appears he went back and reviewed the tape of Wills since the signing first happened. Apparently, he came away more encouraged than he thought.
Talent was never the issue with Wills. He was the 10th overall pick for a reason. Draft experts loved his mix of size and athleticism, believing he had all the tools of a future Pro Bowler. Things started pretty well in Cleveland, helping the Browns make the playoffs as a rookie. His second year was solid as well. Then things took a turn in 2022. The team had shifted from Baker Mayfield to Deshaun Watson following the blockbuster trade, resulting in a significant scheme shift. Wills didn’t take to it well, and then injuries struck a year later.
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What matters is what the Bears think.
They signed him for a reason. They must think Wills has the capacity to play. Head coach Ben Johnson has always had a sharp eye for talent. The medicals must’ve checked out as well, or the Bears wouldn’t have finalized the deal. That leaves questions about Wills’ motivation. Analysts in Cleveland expressed concerns about the young tackle’s passion for the game, which began to show after his first couple of years. Is Johnson confident he can fix that, or does he believe Wills was unfairly criticized for what was a tough situation?
It’s one of those possibilities, or the Bears merely see him as a cheap flier for training camp. We’ll get a clearer picture on that during the draft. If the team doesn’t select an offensive tackle in the first two rounds, that will be a signal they’re willing to give Wills an honest shot. He’s always had the ability. Maybe this offense is a better fit for him than what he had to play with the Browns. Dan Roushar is one of the best in the business. If the Bears’ offensive line coach can reignite Wills, nobody can. Tom Thayer has that level of trust.
