Chicago Bears could look to a veteran left tackle as a backup option in the free agent market

The Chicago Bears’ offensive line is the most important area of need for the front office to address this offseason. In 2024, the unit allowed rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to get sacked 68 times which was by far the most in the NFL. Based on performance metrics and contracts, it is likely that only Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones are the two starters on the offensive line to be back with the Bears in 2025.

With the line needing a complete retooling, any and all options should be taken seriously by Ryan Poles this offseason when bringing in new guys up front to protect Williams. Chicago has nearly $70 million in cap space already at their disposal this offseason to go along with three picks in the first two rounds of the draft.

The resources are there for the Bears to make major moves, but alternative options should be in place if they can’t land their top choices. One free agent that comes to mind spent part of last season playing in the NFC North and has a strong track record of staying healthy over the last two seasons.

Cam Robinson would create an interesting battle for the Chicago Bears

Cam Robinson had spent his entire career with the Jacksonville Jaguars until being traded to the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 season. He was a second round draft choice for the Jaguars out of Alabama in 2017 and was extremely consistent throughout his tenure in the Sunshine State. Robinson was in the final season of a three-year, $54 million dollar deal when the Vikings needed to plug a hole at left tackle and swung a move for the Monroe, LA native.

Robinson finished 2024 with a 64.7 overall PFF grade, ranked 56th out of 141 eligible offensive tackles. His grade as a pass blocker ranked in the top-50 amongst his peers, but his run blocking grade had him as the 75th best tackle in the league. Robinson did more than hold his own in Jacksonville and Minnesota in 2024, serving as a major piece to the Vikings playoff berth that resulted in a Wild Card round loss to the Rams.

If Robinson were to be signed by the Bears, it would create an interesting positional battle in camp. Jones has been the team’s left tackle for the past few seasons, but bringing in a guy like Robinson would mean that he would need to fight for his spot.

Similar to if Chicago drafted a tackle, Jones would likely kick inside to play left guard in this scenario. Depending on how much the front office were to hypothetically pay Robinson, Jones would have a less likely chance of being the left tackle if he is signed versus if a draft pick is used on a tackle.

The Chicago Bears could use Cam Robinson as a fallback option

It’s no secret that Kansas City’s star guard Trey Smith will be a premier target for the Bears to pursue in March. Smith will cost Chicago a fortune, but he would shore up the interior part of the offensive line for years to come. Because of how many suitors that Smith will have, the Bears will need to have backup plans ready to roll if they can’t land him.

Robinson would be a great consolation prize for the Bears front office if they aren’t lucky enough to have a meeting with the Chiefs budding star. He offers stability, consistency and a clean bill of health over the last couple of seasons that can’t always be found across the league.