Post by JABF on May 4, 2021 6:46:58 GMT -6
Unless Pace has got some weird unseen plan in motion I'm not sure this was a good idea. I know we need cap space but that's a lot to put on a rookie who might be an equal or better player. And who is on the other side? Ifedi? And what if either of them goes down? I mean regardless of his play Leno was a rock. This seems risky.
Until I see an OT signing that makes sense, I disagree with this move even if Tevin Jenkins balls out at LT right from the get-go. Right now, Ifedi would be the starting RT with Wilkerson or Borom being the swing? That's paper thin depth.
One thought I had is that we fans don't know how the development progress has gone with the young OL guys under Juan Castillo. We don't. In the Chicago Trib today one writer said that the Bears (the Bears coaching staff) must see that the OL is going to be better without Leno at LT this year.
I stop and think about that statement.
Maybe, just maybe, the existing personnel. along with the draft talent added a few days ago, make for BETTER protection for Justin Fields than an OL with Leno. It may not be a money issue in and of itself that triggered the move to let Leno go. Although I'm sure that was a part of the decision.
I'm not saying that is, in fact the case. But I don't discount it.
Because maybe the best path forward was to let Leno go. Clearly the Bears believe so. I do like Juan Castillo and believe he is a rock solid OL coach. We do have some youngsters who have already been developing under his coaching. The two new players just drafted will reach their ceilings under him too. I feel "cautiously" optimistic at this point. Leno had to go. It was just a matter of when. Maybe this was his time to go. I think the OL will be better this year. I do.