15 Most Impactful Bears of 2024: No. 14 Matt Pryor

The Chicago Bears completed their 2024 season with a 5-12 record that included a 10-game losing streak and making a coaching change during the season for the first time in franchise history. Head coach Matt Eberflus was fired, and the Bears got a head start in finding their next coach, which ended up being Ben Johnson, who will look to turn Caleb Williams into a franchise quarterback and make this team competitive in the NFC North.

Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be counting down our 15 Most Impactful Bears from the 2024 season, which includes a mix of savvy veterans and exciting young players. We will recap their 2024 campaigns and look ahead to how they might factor into the 2025 season.

Next up is offensive lineman Matt Pryor, who was thrust into the starting lineup due to Nate Davis' poor play and Ryan Bates lack of availability. But just because you land on the most impactful list doesn't mean it was all positive. Sometimes, the circumstances require it.

Background

Position: Right guard

Age: 30

Experience: 7th season

2024 cap hit: $1.035 million

2024 stats

• 7 sacks, 7 penalties, 17 hurries, 24 pressures (16 games, 15 starts, 1,005 snaps)

2024 recap

For better or worse, Pryor was forced into an impactful role with the Bears in 2024 following the benching and subsequent release of Nate Davis, who signed a three-year deal during the 2023 offseason to shore up that right guard spot, and Ryan Bates battling injuries all season. The interior offensive line was the weakness of the group, and Pryor definitely had his struggles. He gave up a team-high 7.0 sacks (tied with fellow reserve Larry Borom) and committed seven penalties, which tied for the second-most among Chicago offensive linemen. But Pryor wasn't supposed to be a long-term starter, and he wound up starting at guard -- primarily on the right side -- in 15 games.

2025 outlook

There's no doubt that the Bears are going to make big waves on the offensive line this offseason following a brutal showing in 2024, where they allowed a franchise-high 68 sacks on quarterback Caleb Williams. There are three (possibly four) starting spots on the offensive line, alongside right tackle Darnell Wright, up for grabs. Pryor will become a free agent in March, and the Bears could consider re-signing him to serve as depth along an offensive line that had depth concerns last season. Pryor shouldn't be a starter in 2025, but he's someone who could fill in, if needed, and should benefit from a better group around him this year.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 15 Most Impactful Bears of 2024: No. 14 Matt Pryor