The Bears are 3-1, but don’t get distracted by the wins. Everyone wants to talk about the quarterbacks or the running game. They should be talking about Jonah Jackson. The right guard is playing at a level that makes this entire offensive line look like a complete unit. It isn’t just about talent. It is about how he controls the middle of the field.
The Real Star of the Line
Ben Johnson knows exactly how vital Jackson is to this group. According to Yahoo Sports, Johnson said, “Jonah’s playing high-level football right now.” This isn’t just some hype. The guard is consistently at the top of the team’s grades during these first four weeks. He is also the leader in the room. Johnson noted that the team would not have this much success without Jackson’s level of play.
The stats back up the talk. Last year, Jackson was a decent player with a 71.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. Now, he is elite. His 84.8 overall grade is sixth among all guards in the league. His pass blocking is even more impressive. He ranks fourth in the NFL with an 82.5 grade in that category. He hasn’t even allowed a single sack yet.
A Dominant Run Game
This dominance makes the run game much easier. The Bears are running the ball at a very high rate. The team has a 47.6% designed rush rate. When the ball goes toward the right guard spot, the Bears average 4.3 yards per carry. This efficiency is why the offense stays on the field.
It also helps when the quarterback situation gets shaky. During this initial month of the season, Ben Johnson has secured victories utilizing two distinct quarterbacks. This is possible because the team can rely on the ground attack. The offense is built on this physical style.
Injury Concerns Loom Large
But we cannot ignore the bad news. The run game might hit a wall soon. While Johnson said Kyle Monangai’s thumb is “not an issue,” the workload is heavy. Courtney Cronin of ESPN reported that the coach said, “He had 30 carries and he feels like he had 30 carries.” That is a lot of punishment for one player.
Even worse, Monangai is dealing with a toe injury. This rules him out for Sunday’s game against Green Bay. If the run game fails, the pressure shifts back to a passing game that is already missing Caleb Williams.
