The Chicago Bears have heavily invested in their offensive line this offseason, to the tune of three massive contracts.

Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson all will draw eight figures from their 2025 season paychecks. And right tackle Darnell Wright was the No. 10 pick in 2023, and he’s playing to his draft slot.

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So why are we making a case for the Bears to pick an offensive lineman at No. 10 overall this year? Haven’t they done enough?

Not quite yet.

The Bears need a long-term solution at left tackle. And that comes at a cost. It might be worth the No. 10 pick.

In the first installment of our “Making the Case” series, we’ll examine why the Bears should look for at left tackle in the first round. Let’s get to it:

Chief NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked this week which need the Bears shouldn’t wait to address. His answer was clear.

Offensive line.

“In terms of positions that you probably don’t want to wait on, if you are dead set on getting an offensive tackle and you want to get your long-term left tackle, you’re going to want to do that with your first pick,” Jeremiah said Friday in a national conference call. “I just don’t love the possibilities of you seeing someone that’s going to be an upgrade over what you have once you get into the second round of this particular draft.

“So, that would be kind of the thought process there. If it’s close with some of the other players, I could see them leaning in that direction and checking a tackle off the list.”

That’s a big if. The Bears could consider an edge rusher, tight end, defensive tackle or even Boise State rusher Ashton Jeanty if he’s still on the board.

And Braxton Jones is pretty darn good. I’ve screamed that from the mountaintops ever since he got hurt against Washington in Week 5. He’s a steadying presence and a solid pass protector, traits that new coach Ben Johnson covets from the position.

But … Jones is in the last year of his rookie deal. A solid 2025 means he’ll get paid, and even medium left tackle money requires a big check. It could benefit the Bears to look for both an upgrade at the position and someone secured on a rookie contract. That’s especially true with such a high salary-cap percentage.

Now I’m arguing against myself at this point, but there aren’t many perfect left tackle fits at No. 10. I’ve mocked Will Campbell to the Bears before and stand by it, but I don’t believe he’ll be available at that pick. His arm length isn’t ideal, but his game tape most certainly is, so he’d be under strong consideration if he miraculously fell to the Bears.

Draft analysts say Armand Membou is a right tackle, and the Bears already have one of those. Unless the Bears are convinced he can move to the left, that’s a pass. Josh Simmons dealt with injury, but he can play on the left, so, you know, maybe, if the Bears loved his medicals.

The Bears could go into the second round for an offensive tackle, too, but that’s not what we’re discussing today, despite the fact Josh Conerly is very intriguing (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

The Bears should go offensive tackle if the board falls right and they can get a good one. If Campbell is there at No. 10, that would be tough to pass up. Campbell would secure the Bears’ offensive line for a long time and make it a truly elite unit.

Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles have lots to weigh entering this crucial week, but a continued investment in the offensive line should be something heavily considered when they’re on the clock.