When a player gets drafted high by a team, most know it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a starter. Just because Nick Kwiatkoski seemed to have a grasp on the inside linebacker job early this year meant nothing. Everybody knew it was only a matter of time before Roquan Smith came in, asserted himself and took his spot on the field next to Danny Trevathan in the Chicago Bears defense
The same could be said for second round pick James Daniels. The buzz around the 20-year old center from Iowa was substantial coming out of the draft. Many felt the Bears had gotten themselves a steal when they snagged him that late. He performed well in training camp and had a strong preseason. It seemed like a given he’d start at left guard next to Cody Whitehair and Charles Leno Jr.
Then? Anticlimax. Veteran Eric Kush was given the job to start instead, leaving plenty of people confused. While Kush was a steady player, his talent and upside didn’t compare to Daniels. The Bears explained they weren’t yet comfortable with the rookie’s ability to handle stunts and blitzes. So he had to wait and earn his way to the job.
At last, that time appears at hand.
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#Bears rule LG Eric Kush (neck) out for Sunday's game with #Jets so rookie 2nd round pick James Daniels should make his first NFL start. OLB Khalil Mack (right ankle) and WR Allen Robinson (groin) are questionable and both had limited participation in today's practice.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) October 26, 2018
Injury to Kush paves the way for Chicago Bears to start James Daniels
Granted, it took an unfortunate break for things to finally happen. Kush has been nursing a neck injury the past couple weeks and seems to have aggravated it following the game against the Patriots last Sunday. This time the Bears aren’t taking chances and will hold him out. That means Daniels will start and play the entire game against the New York Jets. The first of his NFL career.
James Daniels had himself a night. Watch this play. Initially gets rocked back by the interior rush, regains his anchor and then bulldozes the guy to the ground right as Mizzell goes in for the TD.#Bears pic.twitter.com/4BatlEPxOp
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) August 10, 2018
Thus far he’s looked strong in his limited opportunities to play. Since the game against Tampa Bay a few weeks back, the Bears have been substituting him in to certain offensive series to get him some playing experience. In 63 total pass protection snaps he’s played, he’s allowed just three pressures on Mitch Trubisky.
That’s pretty efficient for a rookie who just turned 21-years old. There’s no telling how much better he’ll get as he continues to mature and learn under the tutelage of Harry Hiestand. This upcoming game should be the first step towards finding out.
