With three pass-rush-heavy foes standing between the Chicago Bears and the playoffs, it’s a good thing they’ve assembled an offensive line that quarterback Caleb Williams has nicknamed “The Avengers.”
“I call my O-linemen ‘The Avengers,’ and so all of them collectively form a very formidable team to go out there and go to war with,” Williams told reporters Tuesday at Halas Hall.
Four of the five starting linemen were in the top 10 at their positions in fan voting for the Pro Bowl based on the latest available results Monday: center Drew Dalman, guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, and right tackle Darnell Wright.
Williams broke down which character he assigned to each lineman. Admittedly, some aren’t recognized as Avengers within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though they are in some storylines in the comics.
Ozzy Trapilo, left tackle
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo blocks Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig during the first quarter at Soldier Field on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
How assembled: The Bears drafted the 6-foot-8, 312-pound rookie out of Boston College in the second round (No. 56) in April.
Williams says: “I got Ozzy — obviously, he’s not really in the Avengers — but Wolverine.”
Joe Thuney, left guard
Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney celebrates after a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sept. 28, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
How assembled: The Bears traded a 2026 fourth-round draft pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for the four-time Super Bowl champion on March 12.
Williams says: “From stats to longevity to how he is — I mean, he’s Doctor Strange. He just, for some reason, everything just kind of moves how he moves on the football field and things like that. So I feel like all the guys kind of like that one for Joe. I think it was fitting.”
Drew Dalman, center
Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman snaps the ball to Caleb Williams against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter Nov. 28, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
How assembled: Signed as an unrestricted free agent March 13.
Williams says: “I call Drew Dalman ‘The Hulk.’ He’s the brains and all of it, but when he gets out there on the field, he’s strong as can be, fast and the right guy for the job for us and my future and our future here.”
Jonah Jackson, right guard
Chicago Bears guard Jonah Jackson leaves the field after a game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
How assembled: The Bears traded a 2025 sixth-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams on March 12.
Williams says: “I have the Red Hulk as Jonah.”
Darnell Wright, right tackle
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright during a game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
How assembled: Drafted in the first round (No. 10) in 2023.
Williams says: “I have Darnell as Bucky because he has the one arm brace.” (Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, has a metallic arm.)
Williams was asked which Avenger he would be — Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, maybe?
“I don’t know who I am,” he said. “They’ll figure that out.”
Perhaps the nickname wide receiver Luther Burden III gave Williams on a social media post works: Iceman.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/17/chicago-bears-caleb-williams-avengers/
