Bears predicted to land five-time Pro Bowler to solve offensive line crisis

In the National Football League, a quarterback is only as good as his protection allows him to be.

The Chicago Bears found that out firsthand on Sunday night, when their offensive line turned into a line of traffic cones against the Houston Texans. First-overall pick Caleb Williams was under siege all game, and he eventually folded under the pressure.

In the Bears' 19-13 loss, Williams took seven sacks, 11 hits, and faced 36 individual pressures from Texans defenders on his 37 dropbacks. It resulted in an ugly 23-for-37 stat line with 174 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.

If the Bears hope Williams is the savior they've long awaited at the quarterback position, they have to fix their line as soon as possible. Though in-season signings and trades are always an option, their most direct path to a star player will be the upcoming free agent window.

On Monday, Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department predicted that the Bears will land Jacksonville Jaguars standout guard Brandon Scherff in the coming offseason to help solve Williams' protection issue.

"The 32-year-old might not have a long tenure in Chicago, but he'd at least be able to help keep Caleb Williams upright for a couple of years," the authors said. "Scherff has been stout in pass protection throughout his 10-year career and is coming off a campaign where he surrendered just two sacks and 15 pressures, per Pro Football Focus."

Scherff, 32, was a five-time Pro Bowler with the Washington Commanders before signing with the Jaguars in free agency. He has since started all 36 of the Jaguars' games, providing the kind of stability the best offensive lines always require.

Though Scherff wasn't named to the Pro Bowl in either of his first two seasons in Jacksonville, they were two of his three most productive seasons in total points earned, per Sports Info Solutions.

If Chicago wants Williams to become a franchise quarterback, this is the type of investment they need to make. Even if he only has a few good years left, Scherff is the kind of player you want protecting the health of the most important piece of your team.

More NFL: Former first-overall pick blasts Bears coaches for failing to protect Caleb Williams