Chicago Bears Free Agency: Addressing the guard position By Patrick Sheldon - February 21st, 2020
The Chicago Bears might have to get creative to address the offensive line.
Entering the 2020 season, the Chicago Bears offensive line must improve their level of play from the 2019 campaign, and Greg Van Roten could go a long way in making that happen.
According to Football Outsiders, in 2019 the group ranked 29th in run blocking (28th in 2018). As for pass blocking, they ranked 20th in 2019 versus 7th in 2018, though that’s a bit deceiving, as their numbers were not nearly as bad as some might think.
Regardless, the Bears are expected to address the position this offseason. However, there isn’t a whole lot of flexibility to do so. Cody Whitehair, Bobby Massie, Charles Leno, James Daniels are all locks for next year, for different reasons. The one position that can be addressed is offensive guard — particularly right guard — the position previously held by Kyle Long and currently filled by Rashaad Coward.
It will be interesting to watch and see what the Bears do here. If they can't improved the OL then the season is pretty much over before the first regular season game is even played. It will just be another painful season to watch. I keep thinking the OL can perform better as far as Leno-Whitehair-Daniels. They need to plug in a new guy at RG. I don't know what you do with Massie. Bottom line is that the Bears will go as far as the OL can take them.
It will be interesting to watch and see what the Bears do here. If they can't improved the OL then the season is pretty much over before the first regular season game is even played. It will just be another painful season to watch. I keep thinking the OL can perform better as far as Leno-Whitehair-Daniels. They need to plug in a new guy at RG. I don't know what you do with Massie. Bottom line is that the Bears will go as far as the OL can take them.
Agree, I think the left side will be better as long as they don’t try any grand experiments like flipping players around. The right side is the bigger issue as we really need both a guard and a tackle. Perhaps one in the draft and one in FA. Massie needs to step up or become (unfortunately) a highly paid backup.
It will be interesting to watch and see what the Bears do here. If they can't improved the OL then the season is pretty much over before the first regular season game is even played. It will just be another painful season to watch. I keep thinking the OL can perform better as far as Leno-Whitehair-Daniels. They need to plug in a new guy at RG. I don't know what you do with Massie. Bottom line is that the Bears will go as far as the OL can take them.
Agree, I think the left side will be better as long as they don’t try any grand experiments like flipping players around. The right side is the bigger issue as we really need both a guard and a tackle. Perhaps one in the draft and one in FA. Massie needs to step up or become (unfortunately) a highly paid backup.
Yeah that's the most logical way to attack the problem.
Pace has the room to sign a FA Guard and there should be several good options available. He also will have Alex Bars to take a look at there this offseason.
The upcoming draft is considered deep at the Tackle position and Pace should draft one Day 2 IMO almost certainly. And I would say that even if Leno and Massie had been All-Pro last season. Bears haven't drafted a tackle in years and the last one was a 7th rounder than didn't pan out. They need a developmental guy in the pipeline at the very least.