Eagles Built Their Lines and Won Super Bowl — Now Bears Must Build Theirs

A Dominant Factor

Bears coach Ben Johnson walked into Halas Hall last month declaring that quarterback excellence — and not merely the lack of mistakes — has become the deciding factor in football games in the past five years.

Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, though, was decided by the linemen. The Eagles had the better offensive and defensive lines. The Chiefs had the more accomplished quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, and lost 40-22 in a blowout.

The Formula for Success

The Eagles prioritized their lines. Four of their five starting offensive linemen were drafted in Round 1 or 2, either by the Eagles or someone else. The outlier, left tackle Jordan Mailata, grew up in Australia and was drafted in Round 7 having never played American football.

The Eagles’ starting defensive line featured three of their own first-round picks plus a fourth-rounder.

A Plan of Action for the Bears

The Bears have three draft picks in the top 41 this April — their own picks and the Panthers’ second-rounder from the Caleb Williams trade. It would shock no one if they used all three picks on either offensive or defensive linemen.

They’ll have a better sense of what they need at the conclusion of free agency next month, where the Bears figure to be buyers on both sides of the line. They’re likely to add at least three new starters — at center and the guard spots, given that Coleman Shelton, Teven Jenkins, and Matt Pryor are all pending free agents. Guard Trey Smith, whom Bears general manager Ryan Poles helped to draft while in the Chiefs front office, would be a compelling — and expensive — fix in free agency.

On defense, the Bears will hunt for an edge rusher to play opposite Montez Sweat and a three-technique tackle that could push — or beat out — Gervon Dexter.

The Importance of a Strong Defensive Line

Former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio dusted off an old formula to stymie Mahomes, who by halftime Sunday had thrown two interceptions and posted a passer rating of 10.7. Fangio trusted his defensive line to win — and they did.

Fangio was stubborn in his refusal to blitz Sunday night. He rushed four players or fewer on all 42 of Mahomes’ dropbacks on Sunday night, betting — successfully — that they’d overwhelm the Chiefs’ offensive line. They pressured Mahomes on 38.1% of his dropbacks.

Conclusion

The Eagles’ dominance on the line is a lesson for the Bears. Building a strong offensive and defensive line is crucial for success in the NFL. The Bears must prioritize this in the offseason and invest in their lines if they want to compete with the best teams in the league.

FAQs

Q: Why did the Eagles prioritize their lines?

A: The Eagles prioritized their lines because they knew that a strong offensive and defensive line would give them an advantage over their opponents.

Q: How did the Eagles’ defensive line perform in the Super Bowl?

A: The Eagles’ defensive line performed extremely well in the Super Bowl, pressuring Patrick Mahomes on 38.1% of his dropbacks and holding the Chiefs to just 22 points.

Q: What can the Bears do to improve their lines?

A: The Bears can improve their lines by prioritizing the draft and free agency. They have three draft picks in the top 41 this April and are likely to be buyers on both sides of the line in free agency.