Abstract Background Data on respiratory mechanics of COVID-19 ARDS patients are scarce. Respiratory mechanics and response to positive expiratory pressure (PEEP) may be different in obese and non-obese patients. Methods We investigated esophageal pressure allowing determination of transpulmonary pressures (PL ) and elastances (EL) during a decremental PEEP trial from 20 to 6 cm H2O in a cohort of COVID-19 ARDS patients. Results Fifteen patients were investigated, 8 obese and 7 non-obese patients. PEEP ≥ 16 cm H2O for obese patients and PEEP ≥10 cm H2O for non-obese patients were necessary to obtain positive expiratory P L . Change of PEEP did not alter significantly ΔP L or elastances in obese patients. However, in non-obese patients lung EL and ΔP L increased significantly with PEEP increase. Chest wall EL was not affected by PEEP variations in both groups.