ESPN reveals Bears' biggest need is both offensive and defensive lines

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ESPN reveals Bears' biggest need is both offensive and defensive lines originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Bears made the NFC Divisional Round in their first year with Ben Johnson as the head coach. Caleb Williams also took a step in the right direction.

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But now in the offseason, there are some big needs the Bears need to address. While there are some needs at a few key spots, like at linebacker, safety, and wide receiver, the biggest needs are elsewhere.

According to ESPN's Courtney Cronin, the Bears' biggest needs are in the trenches along both the offensive and defensive lines. It's going to be a trench-focused offseason for Chicago, as both have some major question marks.

Bears biggest need is 'the trenches' on offense and defense

"Biggest need: The trenches," Cronin writes. The Bears don't just need defensive line help; they need some big help along the offensive line.

The surprise retirement of Drew Dalman was a big blow for the Bears, and while they've added Garrett Bradbury in a trade with the New England Patriots, the Bears need a long-term answer at center after the 2026 season.

But that's not all the Bears need along the offensive line. Ozzy Trapilo suffered a ruptured patellar tendon, likely keeping him out for the 2026 season.

The Bears need a new left tackle and some future stability at center. Those are two major needs for the Bears, and while Bradbury will help in the short-term, the long-term at center is a big question mark with Dalman out of the picture.

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Defensive line is also a major need. Montez Sweat is good, but he needs some help in the pass rusher department. Maxx Crosby was a possible option, but the Baltimore Ravens and the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a trade that sends two first-round picks for Crosby.

Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Boye Mafe, Odafe Oweh, and Khalil Mack are a few of the free-agent pass rushers Ryan Poles and the Bears could turn to this offseason.

Of course, at 25th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, there will likely be some offensive and defensive line options for the Bears to consider.

But, regardless of how the Bears manage their offseason, they need to address both the offensive and defensive lines this spring. It's going to be a trench-focused offseason in Chicago, as their line play needs to be a lot better in 2026.

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