Bears 2023 training camp preview: Offensive line

Our next Bears position preview is the offensive line, a group that will look very different than it did in 2022.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

We’re unveiling our Bears 2023 training camp position previews, where we’re breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.

Rounding out the offensive side of the ball is the offensive line, a group that only has one projected starter playing the same position they played in 2022. Braxton Jones is back at left tackle but the rest of the line has done more shuffling than the 1985 Bears.

Teven Jenkins and Cody Whitehair were both prominent starters in 2022 who are now playing new positions, while newcomers Nate Davis and Darnell Wright were added to anchor the right side of the line. Meanwhile, players like Lucas Patrick and Larry Borom are now backups after entering last year’s camp as starters.

Here’s a closer look at the Bears’ offensive line heading into training camp.

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman signs with Chicago Bears

Best of luck to him in Chicago!

He didn’t get drafted this past April but former Notre Dame offensive lineman [autotag]Josh Lugg[/autotag] has managed to find a home in the NFL regardless.  Lugg was invited to rookie minicamp with the Chicago Bears this past weekend and on Monday was signed to a deal with the team.

Lugg spent the past six seasons at Notre Dame, starting 33 games for the Irish in that time.  This past year he started at right guard while he spent 2021 starting at right tackle.

Lugg becomes the fourth former Golden Domer on the Bears current roster.  He joins [autotag]Chase Claypool[/autotag], [autotag]Cole Kmet[/autotag], and [autotag]Equanimeous St. Brown[/autotag].

See a few of the best photos of Lugg during his time at Notre Dame below. 

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Notre Dame sees just 4 players invited to NFL combine

Surprised there weren’t more?

When the NFL scouting combine takes place in Indianapolis in February, Notre Dame will be represented.  It won’t be particularly loaded with Golden Domers but it will be represented.

Offensive lineman [autotag]Jarrett Patterson[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Michael Mayer[/autotag], safety [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag], and edge rusher [autotag]Isaiah Foskey[/autotag] were all invited.  None of those players are particularly surprising to hear be invited but perhaps the ones that weren’t come as at least a little bit of surprise.

Both [autotag]Jayson Ademilola[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Ademilola[/autotag] didn’t get an invitation after having solid careers on Notre Dame’s defensive line.  Offensive lineman Josh Lugg was also left of the list of invitees.  Perhaps none of the three on their own are that surprising to see get invited but if given those three names I would have guessed at least one would have gotten an invite based simply on what Notre Dame has put in the NFL from their positions in recent years.

Five hidden plays that dictated Notre Dame’s win against Boston College

Which non-scoring plays stood out to you?

That was a fun one wasn’t it Irish fans? Notre Dame played their most complete game of the year, throughly dominating Boston College to a 44-0 outcome. It wasn’t just a bunch of scoring plays that dictated this game, there were some that won’t show up on highlight shows that helped the Irish win and these five stood out.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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Keys for Notre Dame to upset Clemson

Lots of keys for the Irish in this battle

More keys? You bet there are as this game isn’t just going to hinge on a few moments for the Irish. Clemson is that older brother that you try and try to beat, with a win here and there. The Irish split their series in the COVID season of 2020, with the Tigers winning the ACC crown as their prize. Another undefeated Clemson team will return to South Bend, but this time a few different cast members are leading this charge. Find out more keys (if you haven’t check out John Kennedy’s keys, read them here) to the Irish pulling off another upset this fall.

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Notre Dame offensive lineman named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

Great to see!

IRVING, Texas – University of Notre Dame senior offensive lineman [autotag]Josh Lugg[/autotag] was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. The William V. Campbell trophy is presented to a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, keeping a grade point average above the 3.2 mark, displays outstanding football ability, as well as exemplary school and community leadership.

Lugg, a starter at right guard on the offensive line in 2022, graduated with his undergraduate degree in the fall of 2020 and is studying for his masters of science in business analytics with a concentration in sports analytics. He was a 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, and was named to the 2020 ACC Academic Honor Roll.

Through his playing career, he’s played in 51 games, starting 23. Prior to the start of the 2022 season, he was named to the 2022 Outland Trophy Award Watch List. He played a pivotal role in helping running back Kyren Williams rush for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, and played on an offensive line unit that won the Joe Moore Award in 2017, and was a finalist during the 2020 season. In his career, Lugg has earned starts at right tackle, center and has taken over at right guard for his final season.

The Fighting Irish have advanced to two College Football Playoffs during Lugg’s time with Notre Dame. Additionally, the Irish have played in the Fiesta Bowl (2021), Camping World Bowl (2019) and Citrus Bowl (2017).

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Five keys for Notre Dame to defeat California

Some are easy, others have proven to be a bit more difficult

Let’s not wax poetic about the Irish’s first two weeks. We know it has not been pretty, but each Saturday during the college football season brings in new hope. Marcus Freeman doesn’t have a clean slate, but has the opportunity to start to get the program in the right direction. Here are five keys for Notre Dame to defeat Cal and get their first win of 2022.

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Five keys for Notre Dame to defeat Marshall

The Irish need to put work in on Saturday

This week is different, the Irish are heavily favored and should breeze through the Thundering Herd. With that being said, this week instead of keys, we are going to take a look at areas the Irish need to work on after their week one loss. Here are the five areas that we would like to see this Notre Dame team improve on from the first to second week of the season.

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The day after: Looming thoughts on Notre Dame after losing to Ohio State

Better days ahead for the Irish

It’s been just about 24-hours (at the time that this was published) since the game started on Saturday, but my mind is still focused on Notre Dame’s loss to Ohio State. It was just one game and there are plenty of aspects that can be taken from it. Here are a few thoughts that have racked in my brain over the last day.

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Thoughts on Notre Dame’s depth chart ahead of Ohio State

Plenty of take aways from the seasons first depth chart

As in each year of college football, a new group of stars emerge from one season to another. This season will be no different and for Notre Dame, there are more then a few players who could make a significant leap in the eyes of college football fans everywhere. Here are a few observations on Marcus Freeman’s first regular season depth chart.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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