The NFL Draft is the perfect arena for teams looking to fill their most pressing needs, and the Minnesota Vikings certainly did their homework. With the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, they shored up their offensive line by grabbing Ohio State’s standout lineman, Donovan Jackson. This move aligns with their offseason strategy to beef up the trenches, and it’s a plan that has Vikings fans smiling.

But not every team seems to share this philosophy. Take the Chicago Bears, for instance.

In 2024, their quarterback, Caleb Williams, was introduced to the turf a league-leading 68 times. Those numbers scream for immediate attention on the offensive line, yet the Bears’ draft choices have left some scratching their heads.

Chicago did take some steps during free agency, acquiring center Drew Dalman and guard Joe Thuney, as well as trading for guard Jonah Jackson. Still, the glaring hole at left tackle remains, with Braxton Jones penciled in as the starter. For a team that needs to protect Caleb Williams better, this is a precarious position.

The Bears’ first pick in this year’s draft was Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. On paper, it seems sensible—Chicago’s new head coach, Ben Johnson, is considering a two-tight-end system in his offensive playbook for 2025. But considering the draft was brimming with quality offensive linemen, many expected the Bears to address their left tackle issue sooner.

Surprisingly, at pick No. 39 in the second round, instead of prioritizing tackle protection, the Bears opted for Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III. Investing in weapons for Williams makes strategic sense, especially with the new offensive scheme, but how effective is a shiny new receiver if your quarterback can’t stay upright to deliver the ball to him?

It’s not all said and done—the Bears still have picks in hand for this draft. However, if they continue to sidestep the left tackle position, the window for snagging a high-quality starter will surely narrow. And with a player of Williams’ caliber leading their offense, providing him with solid protection should be the team’s foremost priority.

Reports have pegged Chicago’s revamped offensive line as the highlight of their offseason moves, yet the left tackle spot feels like the missing puzzle piece. Fixing this oversight should have been a priority, potentially using a first-round selection, as Courtney Cronin from Sports Illustrated noted.

Two rounds in and two linemen secured, yet the Bears’ decision-making has raised eyebrows. Are they betting on Braxton Jones to elevate his game, or do they envision their new picks, a tight end, and a wide receiver, as a defensive cushion against the likes of the Vikings’ aggressive pass rush? These are questions that the team will soon need to answer.