The Bears’ offensive line has generated a number of questions this offseason, and resolutions have not come just yet. Buzz around the NFL connects the team to pursuing outside help in trades, Adam Jahns of The Athletic writes (subscription required).
An effort to obtaining guard help, in particular, has circulated, per Jahns, even though Teven Jenkins may be moving close to becoming the starter at right guard. The former second-round pick has gone from tackle to trade rumors to guard this offseason, but Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes the Bears have been pleased by the second-year blocker’s transition thus far (Twitter link). The team also signed veteran Michael Schofield, who could be a backup at multiple spots given his tackle past, just before training camp.
Chicago also added Riley Reiff at the start of camp, but Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune notes the veteran has ceded the first-string right tackle spot to Larry Borom — an eight-game 2021 starter. The latter, a 2021 fifth-round pick, has worked opposite fifth-round rookie Braxton Jones in recent days. Despite being a rookie out of Division I-FCS Southern Utah, Jones is being given “every opportunity” to win Chicago’s blindside job, though Biggs wonders if the two young blockers are competing against one another for a spot opposite Reiff.
Reiff, 33, counts just $3MM against Chicago’s cap, but that amount is fully guaranteed. No guarantees are present in Schofield’s veteran-minimum deal. Reiff has started 139 career games, working mostly as a left tackle. Although, he did slide to the right side to accommodate Taylor Decker in 2016 and play RT in Cincinnati last season.
The two other veterans in this mix — Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick — are not vying for roles. Whitehair is locked in as Chicago’s left guard, and Patrick — one of a few ex-Packers OC Luke Getsy brought with him this offseason — is in place at center. Patrick, however, is still recovering from thumb surgery. He is not a lock to be ready by Week 1, with Biggs adding the Bears expect him back sometime in September. Patrick being sidelined into the regular season could intensify Chicago’s interest in adding interior help.
Holding the No. 7 waiver priority spot, the Bears will be in a good position to land O-linemen Wednesday — after teams’ rosters are trimmed from 80 to 53 — but new GM Ryan Poles looks to be seeing what it will take to add a veteran upgrade ahead of that point.
Bring back Peters. He likes stealing money at this point in his career
Last year he was a solid left tackle at 39 years old for 15 games at only $2.5 million. Way to fight that stereotype of the bitter, angry Philly sports fan.
Howie has a spare lineman if the bears are willing to part with future 2nd. Desperate teams always come to Howie and get ripped off.
Pace isn’t here anymore. That aint happening, Keep dreaming. Call Atlanta, ask for The Idiot, you’ll get sent right through.
Dillard could possibly be a better bet than many of the current Chicago starters. Not all, because they’ve spent a few picks on new players this offseason. That said, I don’t think that Dillard looks promising enough to be close to worth a second, and Chicago is very likely going to be getting value with their Day One and Two picks in the next two years than a trade for a disappointing left tackle. Dillard doesn’t seem to ever be worth that price just based off his potential, and Chicago is a rebuilding team who likely wants a more certain return.
That said, Chicago is one of the few teams that doesn’t have a currently inspiring group OR a build for the future group at offensive line. I don’t say this to bash the Bears-their transition will obviously take a while-but there’s not much right now to look forward to the next two years on the line that’s currently there.
Unfortunately for the Bears, they need to at least their starter upright early in his career. Fields may or may not be the answer, but they won’t know unless he can stay uninjured. The need to protect Fields may forced the Bears’ hand where patience may have otherwise been the answer. Chicago needs long term solutions along the line, but may not have the luxury of waiting for those solutions to appear.
Just do like the Cowboys, say we like our guys and don’t spend a dime.
The Bears O Line isn’t as bad as everyone says it is. Especially that moron Martz whose biggest claim to fame is he was spoon fed one of the greatest offenses in modern history. The MVP of that team was the Player personnel director. When Martz was the OC of the Bears he tried to get Jay Cutler killed by having him do 10 yard drops with an O Line that was terrible and got Cutler almost decapitated. If I was Jay I would of either sued him or hired a hitman to take him out. The Bears will probably make as many waiver pickups as they can afford next Wed. Poles should be busy especially at WR.
You’re probably the last surviving member of the Jay Cutler fan club…lol.
Never said I was a fan. There’s a difference between being a fan and feeling sorry for someone whose coach is trying to get him killed. I still remember that Giants game where Cutler was SACKED 9 TIMES in the first half and Martz kept calling the same plays. Yeah, That’s a guy whose opinion I’d take great stock in.
That was the same game where I think there was one DE that kept hammering Cutler and they refused to chip the guy until late in the third, wasn’t it?
You’re right….it’s actually worse than being reported. Bottom of the NFL bad.
Don’t feel bad, at least the Bears aren’t supposed to be competing for a playoff spot, yet have one of the worst OLs…
The 49ers OL has looked miserably bad, although that is without their bookend tackles Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey, but Big Mike isn’t a sure thing to even start Week 1 and Skule and Mills are the only true OTs on the roster…Other then that, they may try McKivitz or Moore, but they’re both really tweeners that haven’t even looked good playing Guard and looked like turnstiles playing LT and RT.
Even if Big Mike comes back they still have a journeyman Center in Brendel, a 2nd year LG that’s taken less than 10 snaps, and a Division II RT rookie will be playing RG…
All of that with a young and inexperienced QB…
I hope and pray their line gels; otherwise, Lance is going to be running for his life like Justin Fields had to last season!!
I’ll take your 49ers and raise you my Steelers, as their OL is atrocious. Moore is not a starting caliber nfl left tackle, and the guard combo is undeniably the worst in the league. Gonna be rough.
Wow, Bears looking for OL help.. like every other team in the league.. Duh? Whats next? A report that water is wet, and the sky is blue?
The Bears, like every other team, of course will be looking for OL help. Its a long season and it would be a miracle if any team has even 2/5 of their line healthy all season (especially with the additional game played).
I think rosters really need to be increased now with the 17 game schedule, just due to attrition of the season. I get the misers that run the NFL don’t like it, but if you want to make the playoffs it may be good to have another ten guys on the roster that know your system.