Caleb Williams praises ‘The Avengers,’ aka Bears offensive line

The Bears have invested heavily in their offensive line. That was a point of emphasis after head coach Ben Johnson was hired. Chicago traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Then they extended Thuney and got right with Jackson’s contract. Drew Dalman was signed in free agency. And Ozzy Trapilo was added as a second-round pick.

Darnell Wright was added two years prior with the No. 10 overall pick in 2023. That’s a lot. Two high NFL draft picks and three eight-figure annual investments in positions that often go overlooked.

There’s no doubt that was money well spent, with the interior offensive line especially asserting itself to the point as being dominant as heck against most any team.

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Quarterback Caleb Williams has acknowledged that fact, providing some nicknames to this crew. He calls them “the Avengers,” a group assembled from various walks of the NFL to form a front that has been tough to stop.

Before you ask about who’s who, Williams has superhero titles for each one. They aren’t the standard players, either, which makes it clear that he has thought about this for more than a millisecond.

LT Ozzy Trapilo: Wolverine

LG Joe Thuney: Dr. Strange

C Drew Dalman: Hulk

RG Jonah Jackson: Red Hulk

RT Darnell Wright: Winter Soldier (aka Bucky Barnes), “cause he’s only got one arm.”

To clear things up, Wright has two arms, but one is locked in a brace after a Week 6 elbow injury. And Trapilo as Wolverine is not technical wrong. While Wolverine is part of the X-Men, he did some time within this Marvel universe with the Avengers.

(So as an aside, I’m a huge comic book nerd, so writing this as a professional journalist is wild, but such is life.)

Williams didn’t provide explanations for everyone, but he has clearly thought this Avengers thing out.

“I call my O-linemen ‘the Avengers,’ and so all of them collectively form a very formidable team to go out there and go to war with,” Williams told reporters in a Tuesday press conference. “But Drew Dalman is — I call Drew Dalman, “The Hulk.” He’s the brains and all of it, but when he gets out there and on the field, he’s strong as can be, fast and, and the right guy for the job for us and my future and our future here. So I’m excited for that and I’m happy that he’s here with us and with me, and we’re gonna keep growing together, and we’re gonna keep finding ways to help each other out in this tenure that we have together.”

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Thuney has Dr. Strange was an interesting one, but Williams’ logic is sound.

“That guy’s a — from stats to longevity, to how he is,” Williams said. “I mean, he’s Dr. Strange. He just, for some reason, everything just kind of moves how he moves on the football field and things like that. So, I feel like all the guys kind of like that one for Joe.  I think it was fitting”

The description for Wright was apt, considering he has largely worked without his right arm most of the year after suffering an elbow injury in Week 6. Wright just might be the team’s best offensive lineman, which is saying something considering how well the interior has played.

The Bears rank seconds with 1.88 rushing yards before contact per attempt and rank third in expected points added per rush attempt. They are second overall in rushing yards per game, thanks in large part to what’s being done up front.

Williams is a colorful personality and someone making massive plays happen, but he has been quick to compliment those helping him do so. That’s fair, considering how well the offensive line has played to this point.

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