Matt Eberflus praises multiple depth offensive linemen for how they played during the Hall of Fame Game

The biggest problem that plagued the Chicago Bears during the 2023 season seems to be correcting itself this time around at training camp.

That problem was of course not having enough depth on the offensive line. The Bears had multiple injuries up-front during last season and only rookie right tackle Darnell Wright managed to play all 17 games .

With all the mixing and matching up-front, the Bears realized that the team needed to really overhaul the depth up-front to help prepare for that situation happening again.

Already, we're seeing that paying off in a big way. The Bears have already dealt with a few issues up-front with starters such as Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Nate Davis, and Wright missing time during training camp for various reasons.

In their various absences, the coaching staff has played around with different alignments for certain players, seeing what each offensive lineman on the roster can show on the field. With the starters out during Thursday's Hall of Fame Game, we also got to see the first look at some of those depth players in action.

While talking to the media following Saturday's practice, head coach Matt Eberflus was asked specifically about two offensive linemen in particular and had nothing but praise for both players. Those players were Bill Murray and Matt Pryor, both veteran players looking to stand out up-front during camp.

Pryor, whom the front office signed in free agency , started for the Bears on the opening drive aligning at right guard and then switched to right tackle on the second drive with Murray stepping in at guard. By being able to show off his versatility, Pryor gave multiple reasons to impress his coaches.

"His size is one. He's a massive individual," Eberflus said . "So, if you put him inside, I think it's really good because the inside pocket will be firm. He can really anchor up in there, which is great for our quarterback. That benefits us there competition wise and also depth wise. And then on the outside edge, I think he's pretty decent there too. He's played out there and it's good to have that positional flexibility."

Pryor played a total of 16 snaps during the game against the Houston Texans, eight at guard and eight at tackle. Pro Football Focus gave Pryor a 78.0 run blocking grade, the best among all Bears offensive linemen, but had a really low 40.2 pass blocking grade.

As for Murray, he played a total of 27 snaps all at right guard. He finished with an 84.5 pass blocking grade, the best among all offensive linemen on the team, and a 52.9 run blocking grade. Eberflus noted what stood out the most and what more he needs to see out of Murray going into the second preseason game.

"He was really good, real aggressive. I thought his zone game, jumping to the second level was outstanding," Eberflus explained. "I think his pass sets need to improve a little bit, but overall we were pleased with him."

During Saturday's practice, Murray got work with the first-team offense at left and right guard while Pryor filled in for Wright at right tackle and then moved to right guard once Murray switched positions, according to Kevin Fishbain .

The Bears offense clearly wants to keep experimenting with different players playing up-front, which is designed according to the team's head coach.

“You also saw a little bit different depth chart on the O-line today. That's fine,” Eberflus said. “We're just working guys to see if they can elevate with those groups.”

At this point in training camp, mixing and matching players up-front with the starting offense is great for two different reasons. For starters, it helps separate some of the depth players in the room and gives them a true opportunity to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster. It also gives quarterback Caleb Williams an opportunity to play with, and build trust with, different pieces up-front in case injuries were to occur on the offensive line. It's a great process and so far these depth pieces have been proving themselves on the field.

Related: Chicago Bears bring in more depth to the secondary by signing another rookie following the Hall of Fame Game